A Nice Little Wader

What a lovely day! Sunny and hot. Hot! To be honest I would rather have been lazing than working, but at least I got to sit next to the Axe Estuary at lunchtime. I wasn't in birding mode at all though. Didn't even get my bins out, just sat there soaking up the scenery. Lovely.

When I arrived home there was a new porch light waiting for me, so I got that fixed up and wired in before dinner. Our loft was like a sauna, and the thought of a long, cool walk on a beach later on really began to appeal. But where? Dinner came and went, and I still hadn't decided on a venue. And then I got some news which decided it for me. Not a beach.

Wader habitat is at an absolute premium locally. Really, there is almost none. Almost.

Little Stint. An adult, already moulting into winter plumage (note the grey scapulars).

This is my first local Little Stint. A very relaxed and confiding individual, and these are easily my best ever shots of one. The location is a bit sensitive, so I shan't give it away here. But I am grateful for the heads-up, and the reminder that I have optics in need of some action...