Another autumn day, another trip down to the mouth of the Trym. Poor timing for spotting waders as the high tide was still incoming and the mud banks largely covered. Still, I walked slowly around the Trym, passed the surfing mallards under the bridge, and was rewarded by my first local sighting of two sandpipers, just below me in Sea Mills Harbour.
These were Common Sandpipers, dainty and tidy, with distinctive streaks down their necks, and near constant loud ‘piping’. As male and female are alike, they could have been a partnership, but I can only guess. As they flew, low across the rising waters, they flashed boldly barred wings and sang their ‘twi-wi-wi-weee’ call. I assume these were going to stay here over winter, it now being mid-November, and not join their kin in migrating to Africa. As I silently thanked them for their presence, so close and so obliging, I hoped it pays off for them.
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