Lesser Yellowlegs Thornham, Norfolk 4th February 2007

This bird, found on 13th January has been a big crowd puller even four weeks later during my visit. The reason likely to be that this bird has been showing down to a few metres. Being in Norfolk is probably another.

The bird I found on the Axe Estuary last year was approachable but was not photographed well because it associated with Redshank that were easily flushed. This was my opportunity to get some really good pictures of this species.

The tide was high when I first got there so no waders were able to feed in the channels. After an hour, some mud was showing and I decided to have a look for the bird. I found the bird straight away just a few yards from the car park. A crowd of people soon gathered that consisted mainly of photographers.

At one stage the bird was so close that I stopped photographing and just enjoyed watching it at less than 10 metres. In the last 6 months I have seen Pectoral Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and now Lesser Yellowlegs all less than 10 metres. I never approached any of these birds. Just sat down and they walked up to me!