Sentinel Of The Marshes

Lovely sunny, clear and crisp day, ideal for my very long walk at Heybridge. The wind across the water was like a knife. I got nice shots of an avocet and a lapwing in flight and huge flock of golden plovers on the mud in the shadow of Britnoth. I've chosen to post a redshank as I don't think I've blipped one before. These waders are known as Sentinels Of The Marshes as they're easily spooked and pipe very loudly and unremittingly at any sign of danger or disturbance. For this reason they are not favourites of wildfowlers or birders. 

I met and photographed a lovely variety of dogs enjoying themselves in the mud. :)