entry smap 233

Common greenshank Tringa nebularia

aa couple of weeks ago i posted pics of this bird but i got the ID wrong calling it a common sandpiper so though they have many similarities, all the text was about the sandpiper so i hope to fix that here.

the greenshank is a common wader in northern Europe and Asia found on seashores and wetlands but these shots are taken in Maharashtra, India during their winter migration, which generally speaking is from early september to early may maybe earlier or later depending on where they breed. the long greenish legs, the long, slightly upturned bill and a bobbing tail are good indicators. we see individuals fairly regularly on the parts of the beach with the least humans. they dart about in the shallow wake and wet sand in search of any small edible creatures that happen to wash up.

these seemingly dainty feathered friends are fantastically fit flyers with impressively long migrations, some fly all the way to southern Australia or southern Africa, distances up to 13,000 kms. of course they need to stop along the way but the fittest are able to fly nonstop for over 5000 km.