Waders - the long distance migratory birds (Part 2)

This is the continuation of part 1... Most of them were Lesser Sand Plovers, Red-necked stints and a few new ones.

From afar I saw this big bird flying towards me. I could not determine what it is.

As it came nearer, I could see that it was a tern but not sure which one.

OMG ! I couldn't believe what I saw - it's a Caspian Tern ! This was seen on 28 August 2021 at KKM (Kedah) - the first record of this species at this place.

It did not land immediately but instead made a U-turn.

Luckily it decided to turn back together with a few Common Terns and Lesser Crested Tern.

It was already in its winter plumage.

 It choose a spot where there are fewer terns.

What a tern it was to land here. The nearest known record of this tern was in 2016 at Teluk Air Tawar (near Bagan Belat area).

Experts or seasoned birders have identified the above tern as a Gull-Billed Tern. (I am not 100% sure actually).

There were lots of Common Terns as well as Lesser Crested Terns this time.

They can be easily spooked by passing fishing boats or yours truly

Another 'new' bird has also landed.

Pacific Golden Plover

There were just two of them this time.

It looks like it has a long tongue but it was actually gobbling up a sea worm.

They are an all-terrain wader - meaning they can be found from the coastline mudflats, to the plain of Chuping Plantations, or the marshlands of Batu Kawan and the paddy fields of Permatang Pauh.

The one in the forefront is a Greater Sand Plover - identified for me by the more experienced birders.

A Common Sandpiper is about to land. They too came in later than the first batch of waders which were seen here in July.

 

Common Redshank hitting the sunlight at the right moment. 

(note: P8 of primary feathers is noticeable just emerging)

Who do you think will win the short sprint of 5 meters ?

Lesser Sand Plover

or 

Red-necked Stint

This Lesser Sand Plover still spots some breeding colors. I believe they will change (into winter plumage) by late September onwards.

Some already changed apparently.

This is a smart and neat looking juvenile Lesser Sand Plover (above).

In between those LSP, there were a few Red-necked Stints.

Another juvenile LSP. Apparently the juveniles will fly in later than the adults.

They have long legs which can outrun any 'crabbies'.

 

The bigger scapulars of this LSP indicates that it is likely an adult bird and may have molt earlier before they arrived here.

Their legs may appear very thin at times.

Another LSP showing an uneven sort of wing molt

These are perhaps some of the best close-up photos of waders I have ever taken so far. No amount of sunburn could deter me from coming back for more of these wonderful long distance migratory birds called Waders  ! I felt very happy and satisfied.

HAPPY WADERS DAY !

 

Waders - the long distance migratory birds - (Part 1)

Here are some of the best photos of waders / shorebirds that I have ever shot so far. They simply look magnificent at this time of the year. The variations in their plumage due to different stages of moult adds to the birds' splendid profile. 

Some say the above is a Lesser Sand Plover while some think its a Kentish Plover. Majority were silent.

Lesser Sand Plover

Red-necked Stint (in full winter plumage)

So far I have never seen a Red-necked Stint pulling up sea worms.

Curlew Sandpiper

Apparently their prey includes insect larvae or shrimp-like crustaceans, invertebrates, large marine worms.

Most of the time they hunt their prey alone and their prey appears to be small white colored 'insects'

So far I have not seen them pulling up sea worms.

Curlew (Eurasian)

Curlews (Eurasians)

Whimbrel

Terek Sandpiper

Two Lesser Sand Plovers confronting each other

Each of them need some space.

Some of the waders came quite close like this one.

They just love the sands.

Bringing up their favorite meal - sea worm

Like some tug-of-war in the mud

It can be a rewarding hefty meal

Almost all LSPs sighted here are from the Tibetan race. 

Flank appears too clean for a Mongolus species.

Yeah ! that certainly looks like me

Got another prey - this time it looks like a crustacean.

They came in different molts. That is the beauty of watching waders. In summer or winter they would still look gorgeous.

Standing tall in the middle of the sand dunes.

Sometimes they would look for tiny white colored insects as I have observed

This should be an adult LSP

So as this one above.

When they are alarmed they would make some noise which sounded like crickets - krik-krik-krik.

By late September most of them would have changed completely into winter plumage.

Some of them looks smaller than the rest.

LSP makes up most of the waders population in KKM.

They look comfortable running in the mud as well.

Soaking up the bright morning sun

This is a Grey Heron saying till we meet again in Part 2.

Adious !