Spectacular 'Shank

A breeding-plumaged Spotted Redshank is hard to beat, so it was a real treat to see this ebony beauty at Ripon City Wetlands late afternoon today. It had been found yesterday morning so I was delighted the bird was still there. I watched it preening on the mud for a bit - shame about the heat haze, before it flew back to its preferred feeding area. Gorgeous! Spotshanks breed up in northern Scandinavia and Siberia, so it still has a long journey to complete.

Check out those Persil-white underwings!