I thought all waders would've gone north by now, but I was wrong. Another new species was added to my Beppu list again. This time it's a Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus). I found it on Wednesday afternoon and today the bird was still staying around in the same area at the river mouth near my dorm. It always stays together with a pair of Grey-tailed Tattlers. One of the which hasn't completed its moult. The Terek Sandpiper is in its complete breeding plumage with clear black lines on the scapulars. Two more Grey-tailed Tattlers and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers were found as well.
A nice breeding adult Terek Sandpiper
Comparing the size with Eurasian Tree Sparrows
The bird was not easy to approach at all. I had to spend more than 2 hours of stalking the bird until I got these shots. Imagine a guy doing "Little Ringed Plover's feeding action" all over the harbour. I ran and stopped with my back bent down all over the place. That must've been a very amusing sight for many people passing by. The tattlers were much more aprroachable as usual...
Breeding Grey-tailed Tattlers
5 comments:
Tereks are really shy, I'll have to try your Little Ringed Plover shuffle (if my back holds up)........
Hahaha yes you can try it!
It actually works well for birds that feed on the ground. We just need to hold our backs really low and approach the bird steps by steps.
Congratulation!! You wanted to find Terek Sandpiper.
Great pictures. I have only ever seen Terek in India, so nice to look at your images. I must try the shuffle but as you say maybe limit it to when no one else is around. Most people think birders are weird anyway without me confirming it
Thanks martesorex and Phil!
Phil > Hahaa yes birders always look weird when trying to approach the birds. People won't understand why we have to be so careful with those little creatures that much.
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