LITTLE STINT
Laying against the dunes of Mouda beach and watching the sun begin to drop, I noticed this little wader land near me. I was pleased to see what I thought was a sanderling in summer plumage. I took several shots as it did not seem bothered by my presence. Once home and checking the bible, I realised that this was my first little stint. This is the smallest wader, with a bright rufous body, pale breast, pale streaked head and short black bill and legs.
I was lucky to see it in late May as they spend the Spring around the Mediterranean, before moving North to the tundra in the Summer. They are often spotted mixing with dunlins, which it resembles, and curlew sandpipers. They feed close to the water’s edge looking for small aquatic worms disturbed by the retreating waves.
