What Was It?
Hi All,
Firstly, Cameron, apologies for piggy-backing your post. I'm simply after some specific feedback from experienced, local Hayling Island birdwatchers.
Last weekend I was staying at the Warner Lakeside Coastal Village site, PO11 9NR. Whilst there, I took a short walk (on the site) to observe birds in nearby Chichester Harbour. This is where help is needed.
I saw a wader, which I couldn't quite identify. Both light and distance were against me, which made observing the diagnostics very difficult. Bill size seemed similar to or longer than its head length. I could not make out a diagnostic curve (either slightly upwards or downwards). Other than that it had mottled upper parts, contrasting light lower parts etc.
I'm fairly certain I saw the same type of bird, in pretty much the same location, this time two years ago. It was an equally difficult spot. At the time I jotted it down as a Whimbrel, but wasn;t really convinced. On reflection, I still think that was unlikely, and it probably was a Redshank or Greenshank (then and now).
Can anyone offer an opinion?
As for me, I'm a reasonably experienced birdwatcher. I have recorded every certain sighting I have made (globally) since 1999. On the two occasions mentioned above, I was using Leica 8+12x42 Duovid binoculars.
Thanks and kind regards,
JoeTV