1st April at Bare. Three small waders whizzing around and finally landed. It was one of those moments where reason is lost so I just took some photos.
They looked like dunlin, but the bills were a bit too long, not down-curved enough for curlew sands; and there were no signs of black on the belly which you expect by now; and the backs were too grey.
I turned to various books but none seemed to show such a long bill on a dunlin.
Finally I asked Jean Roberts, who stated what I now see was obvious:
Dunlin alpina ssp in non-breeding plumage.
Thanks Jean
Record shots attached.
Jeff B