Ruff at Rye Meads 16th September 2021

A spur of the moment decision to go to Rye Meads to see if anything interesting had dropped in on the scrape. I was there fairly early and two people were just leaving the Draper Hide. The usual "anything about?" was met with "nothing apart from a couple of Green Sandpipers". However, sitting down I immediately saw a larger wader off to the right feeding in the shallows - a beautiful Ruff!

A few of the usual suspects also presented photo opportunities including the Stock Doves.

Little Grebe

Canada Geese

Shoveler

Time then for a walk around the reserve and the sunny weather ensured there were still some butterflies and Dragonflies in evidence.

Comma

Willow Emerald

Back at the Draper Hide, the Ruff was still showing well, together with one Common Snipe and seven Green Sandpipers. Even better, the sleeping Garganey had woken from its slumber for a brief waddle and preen! Pretty sure it is a male in eclipse plumage.

Ruff day? certainly not!