Green Sandpiper Bath-time

14th August 2025

Another visit to Lemsford Springs and was immediately entertained by two of the usual suspects, a Grey Wagtail and Little Egret.

Then by way of a change a buck Muntjac appeared from undergrowth.

Muntjac have very good hearing but poor eyesight and this one has heard the camera shutter and is trying to work out where it was coming from.

Kingfishers used to be fairly regular at Lemsford and would land on the perch in front of the hide, and it is only in the last month or so that an individual has been seen on a few occasions. Today was one such occasion, but instead of landing in front of the hide it perched on some vegetation on the far bank.

It did eventually move to the perch, but was very skittish and was off once again after a few seconds.

Today there were four Green Sandpipers present, two unringed juveniles and two ringed adults. Here are some shots of the juveniles.

Then for one of the birds it was bath time and this is a shot of a Green Sandpiper having a bath. They fly a couple of yards and then plunge head-first into the water until submerged, and then fly a few more yards and repeat the process.

Then once drenched several times there is lots of wing-flapping to dry off.

I don't recall seeing this extreme bathing behaviour in any other wader!!!!