As a wildlife photographer, I’ve always been drawn to the beauty and wonder of nature. So when I heard about the opportunity to photograph some Ruddy Turnstones, I knew I had to take it.
The weather on the day of the trip was far from ideal, with heavy rain and strong winds battering the coast. But I was determined to make the most of it and capture some incredible images.
As I arrived at the beach, I was struck by the sheer number of people and their dogs milling about. It was a popular spot for walkers, and I knew that the dogs could potentially cause problems for the birds I was hoping to photograph.
Despite the challenging conditions, I was determined to find the Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings that I had heard so much about. These birds are known for their striking appearance and unique behaviors, and I was excited to see them up close.
I set out along the beach, keeping a close eye out for any signs of the birds. As I walked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the surrounding scenery. The crashing waves and the rugged coastline were amazing to see again.

Eventually, I spotted a group of Ruddy Turnstones in the distance. These birds are easily recognizable by their distinctive reddish-brown plumage and their habit of turning over stones in search of food.
I quickly made my way over to where they were foraging and began taking some shots. The light was quite low due to the weather, so I had to use a slower shutter speed and keep the aperture wide open to capture the birds in all their glory.
As I worked, I noticed that the Ruddy Turnstones seemed completely unafraid of me, even when I lay down on the sand to get a better angle on my shots. I was impressed by their resilience and tenacity, and I knew that I had captured some truly special images.

After a while, I decided to move on and search for the Sanderlings that I had come to see. These birds are known for their fast, frenetic movements and their graceful, balletic flight.
I was fascinated by their behavior as I watched them darting back and forth along the shoreline, searching for food. Their rapid movements made it difficult to get a clear shot, but I was determined to capture their beauty.

I followed them as they moved along the beach, taking shots whenever I had a chance. I even lay down behind some of the wooden groynes that lined the beach to get a different perspective on my shots.
Despite the challenging conditions, I was having a fantastic time. The rain and wind didn’t seem to bother me at all as I lost myself in these amazing little birds and the surroundings.

In the end, I came away from my trip to Rossall Beach with a wealth of incredible images. The Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings had been a joy to photograph, and I was grateful to have had the opportunity to capture their beauty and behavior.
As I made my way back to my car, I knew that this was a Saturday not wasted. The wet and windy weather had been a challenge, but it had only added to the thrill of the experience. I can’t wait to return to Rossall Beach and see what other wonders of nature it had to offer over the year.
