28. Spotted Redshank

Being an island, Malta is not short of shoreline. As plenty of this coast slopes gently to the sea, we can be a good refuelling station for migrating shorebirds, and the Spotted Redshank is one such, albeit scarce, customer. Medium-sized as shorebirds go, Spotted Redshanks (M: Cuvett) sport the classic wading bird features: streamlined body, long legs and long pointed beak. Most waders have a modest colour scheme - it pays to be drably garbed when you live on exposed shores with nowhere to hide from predators. Even diehard birders have problems telling some waders from each other, especially in winter when grey and white dominate the plumage palette. Summer, however, brings birds out in their best dress, not least the Spotted Redshank, which turns jet black.

Text by Victor Falzon, photo by Denis Cachia. Copyright to Birdlife Malta.