Curlew (Numenius arquata)

A giant of a wading bird - you don't realise just how big until other birds are near. The down-turned long bill and hauting call make this a most recognisable bird amongst the waders that are digging for their food in the mud flats.

Common Gull (Larus canus)

What it is to be called 'common'? This lovely delicate gull has finer features that the bigger gulls with yellow legs and beak (without the red spot). A delight to see and hear. Maybe someone can think of a nicer, less common, name for this delightful gull?

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

The Oystercatcher has to be one of the most widely recognisable birds at the beach; the distinctive call, bold colours, and bright red beak all help. Without a long lens it was difficult to get close to these birds as even when they sit and rest on one leg they 'know' you are coming from a long way off.

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

This beautiful Plover runs and darts around the seashore always aware of predators. This bird had a couple of young chicks that were so well camouflaged it was very difficult to spot them. Once I had found them the adults did their best to attract my attention away from the chicks. At one point both adults were performing what appeared to be death-throws - an attempt at saying look at me I'm injured and therefore easy prey. What ingenuity.

Lesser Black-Backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

The yellow legs identify this species from its bigger brother the Greater Black-Backed Gull, and also the Herring Gull. A graceful and powerful glider when patrolling and searching the seashore for food. Like many of the gulls a wonderful site to see the aerobatic display.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

The 'song' of the Herring Gull is surely the sound of the seaside wherever you are in town or country, although you'll probably see more following the local tractors preparing the soil for the next crop. Don't get cross with them stealing your ice-cream just marvel at their tenacity and bravado, and their magnificent aerobatic skills.

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

A very pretty but rather noisy gull especially when welcoming the partner back to the nest. At least they do make nests unlike some gulls, albeit rather messy ones full of detritus from the shoreline or harbour. This one is from the colony that nests in the old castle wall at Dunbar harbour, East Lothian.