Had a good visit to Frampton on 8th April. From 360 hide I saw what I believe to be a Lesser Yellowlegs with clearly visible yellow legs. However I also saw a simlar bird - at the same time - but with grey legs. Would this have been a younger bird or a variant? Anyone with any ideas?
Little-John.
Sorry about the delay in responding - I'm still getting used to how these pages work! You could have seen a lesser yellowlegs, but they are very rare in the UK, being a North American species. We did have a record of one at Frampton for one day in May though.....The other possibility is wood sandpiper, which can also show yellowish legs and would be more likely. Grey legs is trickier, this could be genuine or mud-related! Possibilities include knot and black-tailed godwit - but very much depends on the rest of the bird's plumage.
All the best,
John