Reddish roosters

Here's the Curlew Sands from earlier in the month, shown here when they were neatly parked up with some Grey Plovers.

I have to confess that I prefer the freshness of the initial sploosh and pencil version, before the detail got bludged on.   But it's a bit late to wipe it down and go back now.   Onward!

South Hide sludgepeckers

No time for a proper painting this week, but here's an ultra-quick scribble of juv Greenshank and juv water Rail striding along together at Minsmere.

Kipping bug-eye

Here's a sleepy Stone Curlew keeping half an eye on me, whilst having its portrait done.

Psychocygnus

Don't be fooled by that long thin neck- Black Swan striking like a mamba and clearing 60 Mute Swans out of the creek in 10 minutes.  I expect DEFRA has its mind on other things.

Rubble at t' mill

Godwit at Stutton Mill solves ancient mystery of whether BTGs are brick-red or brick-orange.

The Rack and Pecker

Freshly done oil painting- title might also make a good name for a gastropub in Cape Town.   

Wind-shy shanks

A stiff breeze today and the Greenshank really don't like it.   Other roosting waders not bothered, but the G'shanks running to get in the lee of some muddy lumps.   30-40 in the roost this week, including 4 pristine juveniles and the colour-ringed adult RR-OW who breeds in Sutherland and has wintered here since at least 2010.