Birdwatching

Indentification of waders is a skill which demands detailed study, careful observation, often under difficult conditions,and preferably a background of accumulated experience.
A visit to the local estuary or sewage farm a favourite haunt of waders at a passage time of year is a highlight for many a birdwatcher, at a good site, it would be surprising if there was not a wader in unusual plumage, or in some other way presenting an interesting exercise in the skills of identification.
Knowing the identity of a bird gives added pleasure to watching its habits and behaviour, but should not, I believe, be regarded as a satisfactory end in itself.
Observers should always consider the question. How can my observation aid the study or conservation of the species.
Our state of knowledge of most species is so basic that every observation properly recorded is a valuable particle of information which can eventually help to build up a picture of the habits, movements or population size of the species concerned.




WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A RARE WADER....

If you suspect that you have found a rarity, even a local rarity, the first thing is to be sure to take as many notes or sketches as possible, no matter how rough; of the bird in the field; plumage, bare part and structural features are important, but so too are call, behaviour and the impression of the whole bird. These can be written up into a neater version , when you get back to the car or home, for most countries with well organised ornithological societies.





What must I do if I find a colour marked wader? Many population and migration studies use plumage dying colour rings bands,ore more rarely, coloured or numbered wing tags to allow recognition of individuals or classrs in the population, if a colour marked bird is seen, it is important to record in detail the exact colour of any dye and where it is on the bird, as well as the exact positions, colour, shapes, patterns or numbers of colour rings or flags placed on the legs, or tags fixed to the wings? this information should then be reported.






I hope I was of some help, ant to all a nice observation day....