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High water level at Tacumshin right now and waders difficult to get to grips with. While crossing the wide body of water over to the patch a lot of birds started to get up. I latched on to a distant flock of Ruff in flight and noticed one smaller bird in their midst, too small to be a Reeve and with a rather peculiar shape (long-billed, long-legged) and lacking a wingbar. Though I wasn't able to determine any real plumage detail, it reminded me of a Stilt Sandpiper. I followed the climbing flock for ten or fifteen seconds, still not seeing much, other than a distinctive shape. When the birds turned to fly eastwards and passed high up at around 300m range I opted to try for some record shots in the hope that these might capture some details I was unable to register. They did! Unfortunately I didn't relocate the bird before it became dark, but hopefully it will linger a few days. 13th Irish record
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