Black-winged Stilt report

The observer (John Ross) said he saw a large black and white wader going north west over Shaw Lodge Mills, not very far up above the building. He described a loud piping call and VERY LONG trailing legs. So long were they at first glance he thought it was emptying its bowels! This was at 5.30 to 6pm on Tues. 19th Oct.

Of course I quizzed him on heron, white stork. He is very confident it was neither of these. I didn't think of oystercatcher, but they don't trail very long legs. He is as incredulous as me, but he seems sure. I'm sure he will be familiar with oystercatcher from locally and from British coasts.

He is an artist with a keen interest in wildlife, goes birding with someone from Huddersfield, where he lives. He can talk about all European birds, runs Artworks, Shaw Lodge Mills. He has a holiday home on the Cabo de Gato ( Cape of Cats ) near Almeria east of Malaga, where there are salt flats with all the med's waders - B W Stilts, Flamingoes, Avocets, etc. I know, I was there in 2000.