Help Please

[PeterD]

Tried to ID this bird but failed. Photographed 13 March at Whitby Quay, Northe Yorkshire.

The bill suggests a Tern but the plumage I cannot identify'

http://surfbirds.com/albums/data/500/Tern--3132223.jpg (http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=5933&limit=recent)

Body size approx blackbird
Can anyone help please?

PeterD

[Stephen R]

Thats a Turnstone, nice photo.

[john robinson]

Yes as Steve says a Turnstone. You were nearly right !
Cheers
JohnR

[PeterD]

Thank you Steve & John.

I cannot see how I missed it! Still, my excuse is the book is new and I am a beginner. These two stayed close by as I was photographing them. They did not even move away. A fantastic experience. Normally I have to stalk the birds very carefully.

PeterD

[Colin Key]

In some respects Peter these are not easy birds at times. The size, and bright orange legs of adults are the main ID points, but you never, ever see two birds with exactly the same plumage and juveniles are even worse.

The "jizz" is also important, as they tend to keep to the tideline (often with Sanderling) and do what Turnstones do, they "turn stones" (or shells) looking for food (and, as you say, they are normally fairly approachable).

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/Passarinhos/0C0J5080.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/Passarinhos/0C0J5084.jpg

This is a second calender year bird which has very drab plumage and not yet developed the the bright orange legs of the adults.

Colin

[AndyB]

Yes, nice shot Peter. And not to confuse matters but on the west coast over here we also have Black Turnstones which look just like your Ruddies but with wholly black plumage and no hint of rusty red feathers on the upperparts.

Nice shot of a bird turning over a shell Colin. Here's a close up and a series of a Black Turnstone doing some turnstoning and flipping over an empty shell.

[PeterD]

Hi Andy & Colin

Thanks for posting your images too. Come to think of it now, I believe I have seen them on the shoreline before but their size etc usually makes it difficult for a close observation. A sandy beach would obviously be the ideal spot for observing them. Where I normally go, Langstone Harbour, its all pebbles and heavily covered in seaweed ranginging from brown to green. Good camouflage for these birds.

Its relative from across the pond looks very handsome Andy.

Cheers to you both

PeterD