A Lone Whimbrel

Despite a less than favourable forecast "showers and a top temperature of only 16C", I opted for a visit to Marion Bay. It proved to be a good decision, but only just. I walked to the end of the spit and was hopeful of finding a range of waders. On arrival I found only gulls and terns. I shouldn't really have said only, because at this time of year they are exhibiting an interesting range of plumages. I photographed adult and juvenile Crested and Caspian Terns and Kelp and Pacific Gulls in a variety of plumages too. But apart from a flock of Pied Oystercatchers, no waders. A little disappointed, I turned for home. As I did so I caught sight of a flock of 22 Bar-tailed Godwit flying low over the bay. Well I've photographed them here on several occasions, so I didn't get too excited, but I quickly moved away from the shore in the hope they would land. They did. While watching them I realised that there was a lone Whimbrel amongst them. It's a species I haven't previously recorded out at the spit, although I have seen them in other parts of the bay, usually on rocky shores. They are a bit thin on the ground this far South, but do regularly occur in small numbers in the Tamar River (in Northern Tasmania). I think they could reasonably be described as uncommon, and I hadn't previously managed to get anywhere remotely close enough to photograph them. I knew from previous visits that with care I can usually get fairly close to the Bartails. The only issue was that with a stiff NW'ly breeze blowing, and the birds prefering to face into it, and the sun from the SE, didn't make photography easy. Oh well, can't expect everything to be right! I approached the flock with some care. They were a little flighty, mainly because of the presence of the larger gulls, but seem to tolerate my fairly close approach and then I went to town! Couldn't help taking 'just one more' shot, but I did manage to restrain myself and only publish 3.
The top image gives a fair indication of the ralative size of the 2 species. It's also interesting to note that the barring on the Whimbrel covers almost its' entire body, something I was unaware of. I had considered writing a humurous caption for the middle shot, something on the lines of the Bartails mentioning that the Whimbrel appeared to have a 'droop' problem, but decided against it!! A great morning, and it did rain, just as I was backing down my drive.