Common Sandpiper

[Ryewolf]

At the weir on the River Calder at Whalley, I first thought it was a light coloured Dipper, but when I veiwed on a big screen the large beak told me it wasn't. I didn't expect to see them so far inland.....

[CMunzel]

Where is it since you say inland?

[Ryewolf]

It's in Lancashire, on a river that connects to the River Ribble which is a tidal river that connects to the sea, so it's about 30 miles from the sea, probably more if you follow the river course. I often see them near or on  the coast, this sort of river (fast flowing and rocky) is normally the territory of Dippers. But saying that there are a pair of Oyster Catchers nesting in the same area, which is another coastal wading bird that has started to move inland. (I think the furthest place in the UK from the coast is 70miles- 113km)

[CMunzel]

1 minute ago, Ryewolf said:

It's in Lancashire, on a river that connects to the River Ribble which is a tidal river that connects to the sea, so it's about 30 miles from the sea, probably more if you follow the river course. I often see them near or on  the coast, this sort of river (fast flowing and rocky) is normally the territory of Dippers. But saying that there are a pair of Oyster Catchers nesting in the same area, which is another coastal wading bird that has started to move inland. (I think the furthest place in the UK from the coast is 70miles- 113km)

That’s interesting. Any idea why some of the coastal birds are moving inland? 

[Ryewolf]

6 minutes ago, CMunzel said:

Any idea why some of the coastal birds are moving inland? 

They're following the food, they follow the waterways inland, just around the corner from me are Black Headed Gulls, which are normally seabirds but I doubt any of these have seen the sea. When I was a kid some 45-50 years ago you would only see gulls on the coast, but rivers and lakes have fish in them, this wasn't true 40 plus years ago due to pollution. The river that runs through my town, the Hyndburn, was called the river stink due to all the pollution from mills and factories, these days it's a lot stricter (plus most of the mills and factories have gone) so the rivers are a lot, lot cleaner so there's more fish and other food for birds and mammals to feed on.

[johntwo]

Plus the fact that coastal waders like Curlews and Oyster catchers will breed inland earlier in the year but return to the coastal areas later.  Nice catch Rye.

[Ryewolf]

Thanks John.

[Rogerw]

Like that , lovely shot Rye.

 

[Ryewolf]

Thanks Roger