Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (Calidris acuminata, Piovanello siberiano) are only about 22 cm yet they accomplish a very long migration twice a year, every year. They spend the southern summer on Australia's mudflats and return to Siberia - northern Russia for the brief northern summer breeding season. They endure many threats during their long journey.
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| A Sharp-tailed Sandpiper's palette. |
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| Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, handmade watercolours on Khadi handmade watercolour paper, 30 x 42 cm, © Matteo Grilli |
In October last year I went volunteering during a bird-banding session in Manly, Brisbane organised by
Birds Queensland and the
Queensland Wader Study Group. The birds were caught with cannon-netting, measured, aged, ringed and banded and then released. Taking part in the process of banding migratory shorebirds has been a fantastic experience.
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| Lesser Sand Plover |
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| Pacific Golden Plover |
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| Sharp-tailed Sandpiper |
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| Red-necked Stint |
For all the artists and art lovers out there, I am running a promotion on
my Etsy store at the moment, I am offering free postage for all orders above $30 until the end of June. This promotion includes my Artist's quality handmade watercolour paints.
All the best,
