MIKE DILGER

To help make the most of you and your family’s nature encounters throughout the year, the BBC’s Mike Dilger has compiled this new series of guides. Each issue he will be sharing his expert advice.

The One Show presenter and naturalist Mike is writing a new wildlife watching series, starting with estuaries. He says, “Our mud is world class, providing vital refuelling stations for birds throughout winter.”

It’s official, our mud is world class. Close to half of Britain’s convoluted coastline lies within estuarine habitat, which provides crucial refuelling stations throughout winter to an internationally important array of waders from across the northern hemisphere.

Estuarine birds’ lives are totally dictated by the state of the tide, so the precise timing of your visit is everything. At low tide, the expanse of mud can be so vast that the birds will simply spread out across the ‘bird table’, giving the misleading appearance that the estuary is devoid of life. Likewise at high tide, when the feeding ‘real estate’ becomes severely depleted, many waders will simply roost elsewhere until the waters recede. The best time to get yourself in prime position for a ‘winter wader fix’ is on a rising tide, when the ever diminishing amount of mud will result in the birds being effectively delivered to your door.

Most waders are wary of disturbance, and in such an open landscape any indiscreet behaviour by a few visitors could spoil the enjoyment of many. Hides at lots of the best sites are frequently perfectly placed ‘rooms with a view’, which will guarantee disturbance-free birdwatching. However, if hides are thin on the ground, then keeping your distance and tucking yourself away below the horizon is the next best option. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the sun may have an impact on how well you are able to see the birds. With the sun behind you, the waders should be presented in the best possible light.

Know where to start

If you are new to this game, then make it your business to learn the most common or easy to recognise waders first.

With its pied plumage and carrot-like bill, the noisy and characterful oystercatcher is a bird that specialises in standing out from the crowd. Other species that are simple to identify include the rightly named redshank with its arrestingly bright-coloured legs, the black and white avocet with its upcurved beak and the dull and dumpy knot with its breathtaking group aerial displays.

When these species become instantly familiar, the more unusual waders will suddenly reveal themselves. If you’re struggling with a particularly tricky identification then don’t be afraid to ask for help… birdwatchers are a friendly bunch – honest! FIND OUT MORE Use our handy wader ID guide: www.discoverwildlife.com/identifyidentify-waders-wadersestuaries