Sandpiper?

[munchycarrot]

I'm sure this is an easy one for you all I'm terrible at these waders

[astafjevs]

It's definitely a godwit, and for my money it is a black tailed godwit (straightish bill, no eye-stripe ruling out bar-tailed).

[munchycarrot]

Haha thanks! I told you I was rubbish at these

[astafjevs]

Originally Posted by munchycarrot

Haha thanks! I told you I was rubbish at these

They're in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae, so you weren't wrong!

[munchycarrot]

Ahhhh, oh go me

[wayneh]

Great pic there mate. well done

[munchycarrot]

Thanks... it's a fair crop, it was miles out. I went to test my new lens but not a very fair test. Popping out later to try again at a reserve

[RoyW__]

Originally Posted by astafjevs

for my money it is a black tailed godwit

I'll second that.

[Cassillis]

It looks as though there is a distinct curve in the bill, so for me it is a Bar-Tailed Godwit. having said that the knee joits are low for a bar tailed..........

Oh I'm sure someone will be along soon to tell us

[Dave Appleton]

I agree with those who say Black-tailed. Whether the bill is straight or up-curved is often quoted as a feature but personally I don't find it a particularly useful distinction as there is overlap and variation - for example these three Black-tailed Godwits I've photographed all have upcurved bills (here, here and here) whereas these three Bar-tailed Godwits appear to have straighter bills (here, here and here). Leg length is a better feature that's visible in this photo, despite most of the leg being in water - as Cassilis ponders, this has too much leg above the knee to be Bar-tailed Godwit.

I've lots of photos of both species here and here if anyone's interested in comparing.