Dunlin

I thought from a distance I had spotted a sanderling on the shoreline as it is about now that they return to the beach.  It was darting out and in with the ebb and flow of the tide as they do.  On closer inspection I wasn’t so sure even though at this time of the year sanderlings’ feathers are darker.

Pretty sure that it’s a dunlin as the beak is slightly curved and the markings on its belly are darker than those of a sanderling.

Whichever it is both are bonnie, wee birds and a joy to watch through the autumn and winter.

Have a lovely weekend.