Outstray Waders - 25/11/25

Wed 26th Nov, 2025

A few years ago, I was introduced to the collective noun ‘an inspiration of waders’ by Rick Simpson of Wader Quest. A fabulous descriptive term for what is a real wonder of nature.

Waders at Outstrays 25 November 2025 © Richard Baines

It’s fair to say I am totally hooked on these inspirations. Watching the flocks, learning about behaviour and photographing them. Endless fun.

Waders at Outstrays 25 November 2025 © Richard Baines

On the 25th November I arrived at my favourite place just after dawn. The tide was almost high at between 5 and 6 meters which left an area of mud available for waders to roost on. Hiding myself below a grassy bank I laid down on the grass and waited. I was bang on time. Big flocks of waders started to arrive and landed above the tide. A tight mass of Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwits, Red Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin.

The light was a little dark but it was dry so I was relieved after a very wet start to the day.

Waders at Outstrays 25 November 2025 © Richard Baines

It didn’t take long before the first raptor arrived. A Merlin from behind me, which flew in almost directly over my head, skimming the grassland, keeping its wings held in tight. A few seconds later the waders saw the danger and exploded into the sky. What I thought looked like a couple of thousand birds in the bay suddenly looked like many thousands more!

Waders at Outstrays 25 November 2025 © Richard Baines

The Knot kept tight and very low over the water. A horizontal swarm numbering many thousands of birds. The godwits moved with the rest of the waders at first before breaking from the flock and moving higher above the Knot.

This species distribution happened so quicky. Within a few short minutes I realised most of the Dunlin and Grey Plover had also split from the Knot. After the danger was over, they were all back together again before landing back on the mud just above the tide. Five minutes of controlled mayhem.

Peregrine & Waders at Outstrays 25 November 2025 © Richard Baines

The next arrival was a juvenile Peregrine Falcon which flew low but higher and slower than the Merlin. Cue mass panic again but this time the inspirations were more spectacular and lasted longer. These waders clearly knew how to identify falcons and which one was the biggest threat!

In the 90 minutes I was laid out below the bank, four incursions occurred. One Merlin, two Peregrine and one Marsh Harrier. The harrier had to get close before the wader panic button was pressed and I noticed the waders alighted again shortly afterwards.

Marsh Harrier & Waders at Outstrays 25 November 2025 © Richard Baines

As the tide dropped, I started to hear the calls of waders more than earlier. The chattering godwits were the loudest. A few birds broke rank and flew west, a short time later the bay was almost empty.

It was time to stretch my legs too!

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Richard Baines

Director & Wildlife Guide