It's Quiet at Salinas

15th April - Salinas, de San Pedro

This is my first time at the salinas since last October, then there was quite at lot of waders about but today I'm surprised how quite it is wader wise. A quick scan and the usual suspects are here Black Winged Stilt, Avocet but very few other waders.

On the far side I can see a couple of Little Stint one coming into summer plumage also two Curlew Sandpiper again one sporting the first signs of it's summer red plumage, it looks like it's going to be a waiting game.

Slowly the CSP make their way round the small bay each never far from the other within range of the camera, unfortunately they have a preference for deeper water which as a resulted in the sun angle being slightly from the side, I grab some shots before they depart not to return during my visit. The Little Stint never come anywhere near which was a bit disappointing as I was looking forward to photographing the Stint in summer plumage.

Last year there was a breeding Kentish Plover at this location and again the birds are on territory, occasionally the sitting bird will take a rest and feed along the sandy bay, I managed some shots but it's lean pickings today.

A pair on Avocets drop in from the other side of the salinas, the male can see me and starts incessantly calling the female just gets on with the day skimming the surface for what morsels are on offer. Occasionally the male stops calling and dose a bit of maintenance and has a shake proving a different photo op.

Time to move on

A selection of images from today. Click image to view

Avocet

Kentish Plover

Curlew Sandpiper