Wednesday 17 August 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 212 - Dunlin and Sanderling

The Brough of Birsay is a small island off the north-west coast of the Mainland island of Orkney - like almost all of Orkney it is very rich in archeological sites.  You can get to the island by walking over a causeway at low tide.  As we were returning from looking at the archeological sites I noticed a couple of wader dashing about in the rocks on the shore.

I got good views of one of them and knew it was a Dunlin - that black belly is a bit of a give away.  I assumed the second bird was also a dunlin, but inspection of the pictures I took show it to be a Sanderling.

One of the things that I find hard about identifying these waders in the UK is that I rarely get to see them in breeding plumage - by the time they arrive in Australia, there are in their non-breeding plumage, and generally looking less colourful.

So, here is a Sanderling (first two pictures) and a Dunlin (the rest).

Sanderling
Sanderling







When this post 'goes live' I will be deep in the Northern Territory - so I will be well and truely 'off the grid' as far as internet and such like.  So, don't get impatient if you dont hear from me for a while.  

Hope to be able to post some NT birds for next weeks WBW.

So, off you go, click the Blue Button and I'll see you when I get back!  SM
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26 comments:

  1. Brian King17 August 2016 at 03:01

    Both are gorgeous birds! I really like the feather patterns!

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  2. Breathtaking17 August 2016 at 03:08

    Hello Stewart!:) Have a great time!:) They do seem similar at first glance but I see the difference now. They are both lovely birds, with gorgeous plumage colours and patterns.

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  3. Gayle17 August 2016 at 03:10

    Once again magnificent camouflage. Both beauties.

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  4. Kenneth Cole Schneider17 August 2016 at 03:10

    Nice crisp shots of the feathers. I rarely get to see a Dunlin in breeding plumage. I did not know that Sanderling acquired the similar black belly. Are you certain it is not another Dunlin? I know that the Dunlin's bill can be somewhat variable and not seem to have much of a droop.

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  5. Kenneth Cole Schneider17 August 2016 at 03:13

    OOPS-- I was looking at the third bird, as I thought you meant the second bird after the Sanderlings! Sorry-- you are right on!

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  6. eileeninmd17 August 2016 at 03:23

    Hello, pretty shots of both the Sanderling and Dunlin. I like the Dunlins showing their black bellies. Thanks for hosting. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

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  7. Prunella Pepperpot17 August 2016 at 04:17

    Gorgeous images of the Sanderling and Dunlin. Their markings are beautiful.
    Thank you for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday. Have a wonderful week.

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  8. NatureFootstep17 August 2016 at 04:22

    I love the sanderling even if I never seen it so colorful :) A wonderful bird.
    Thanks for hosting. :)

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  9. Author R. Mac Wheeler17 August 2016 at 05:47

    I'm not much for names...I just know them as cute little brown wading birds.

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  10. TexWisGirl17 August 2016 at 09:24

    i like the dark belly.

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  11. Pat Tillett17 August 2016 at 12:59

    Really nice photos Stewart.
    Enjoy your adventure!

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  12. Margaret Birding For Pleasure17 August 2016 at 15:24

    Both beautiful waders

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  13. Tony McGurk17 August 2016 at 18:33

    Two lovely birds & a great collection of shots of them.
    Have fun up North

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  14. photodoug17 August 2016 at 23:27

    Stewart, great captures of these shorebirds. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. This N That18 August 2016 at 00:58

    They are pretty regardless..love their markings..

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  16. Marilyn Kircus18 August 2016 at 02:00

    Neat to see birds we share. I finally got pretty good at identifying dunlun in the winter. But I've been away from them for over a year so will probably hve to relearn them. Thanks for the post.

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  17. Anonymous18 August 2016 at 05:00

    That black belly is quite distinctive. Otherwise, I can see how they could get mixed up. You did a great job of capturing those beautiful colors and patterns. Hope you're having a great time!

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  18. Anonymous18 August 2016 at 10:32

    They even have pretty names, Stewart! Great photos considering how quickly shore birds seem to move...at least when I want to take their pic!!...:)JP

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  19. diane b18 August 2016 at 14:20

    Hope you get to the wildlife bird show up there. These birds are pretty and very similar.

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  20. Adam Jones18 August 2016 at 19:29

    When it comes to waders, the Sanderling is up there with my favourites. Lovely images, and like you say, not easy to distinguish in it's varying plumages. I always have to check the feet for that missing hind toe.

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  21. Inspired By June19 August 2016 at 00:14

    Good eye, Stewart! Great captures of these two. Happy, safe travels!

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  22. Optimistic Existentialist19 August 2016 at 19:10

    They look like friendly little critters :)

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  23. Lee19 August 2016 at 19:43

    I hope you enjoy/ed your visit into the depth of NT. We expect some great photos when you resurface! :)

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  24. Lady Fi20 August 2016 at 15:53

    That is a pretty bird.

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  25. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening21 August 2016 at 00:52

    Your photos of the Sanderling and Dunlin are beautiful. These shore birds both have such nice markings and they seem to have posed for you!

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  26. GreenComotion21 August 2016 at 15:43

    Remarkably beautiful bird!
    And, exquisite snaps, Stewart!!
    Have a Happy Sunday!!
    Peace :)

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