Apart from a few species such as Snipe that spend most of their time in long vegetation and are well camouflaged, most waders are found on open ground, usually on mudflats and sandy beaches.

Black-tailed Godwit - most waders are found on open ground, usually mudflats and sandy beaches

They are not generally easy to approach so a pair of binoculars is essential and a telescope is ideal. As with all bird watching a notebook and pen should be used to take notes while watching the birds. Then use these notes to identify the bird in a good bird identification guide. Unlike watching garden or woodland birds you could use the identification guide while watching waders because there is less chance of them flying away and there are few places to hide.

Note taking is always the best way to positively identify birds and it will force you to look more closely at all aspects of the bird's appearance and behaviour.

(a sketch, no matter how simple is worth a thousand words!)

Waders are usually bigger than garden birds and special attention should be given to the size and shape of the beak, length of the legs and the plumage pattern of the bird from above (wings, tail and back).

Using this method it will not be long before you know most of our common waders. You will also need a tide table to tell you if the tide is out or in or coming or going. Beginners have a better chance of seeing waders at low tide, because waders will be spread out over the mudflat or beach.

Two waders feeding at low tide

As the tide comes in the feeding area decreases quickly forcing the birds closer together until they fly off to roost. When the tide turns the process is reversed. They roost at high tide on favourite parts of an estuary or bay. When tides are very high they may even roost in fields nearby. They all crowd in together looking reluctant to leave their feeding areas. This is a great time to watch them as they nervously settle for that brief period before the tide starts to fall again

When watching waders try to find a spot where you are not looking towards the sun because in sunny or bright conditions sunlight will reflect off the water, mud or sand making waders look like shadows on a silvery sea, and so making identification almost impossible.

Wader watching can be done all year round but the best time is between September and March. Always wrap up well. Wader watching can leave you cold, wet and wind blown but once you start the rewards are more than worth the effort. Waders live in some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland.

When you are proficient you can then start to contribute to the conservation of these amazing creatures by taking part in wader surveys. BirdWatch Ireland organise annual winter monthly counts of all the wetlands in Ireland and new counters are always welcome. Visit www.birdwatchireland.ie for further information.

The information gathered in these surveys which has been going on in some shape or form over 20 years has helped us build up a clearer picture of this fascinating group of birds which are a vital part of our natural heritage. Ireland is internationally important for many wader species. The definition of international important has been agreed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (which includes waders). The definition is, if a wetland regularly holds 20,000 waterfowl or it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterfowl. Using these criteria Ireland is internationally important for species such as Redshank, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit. We also have over ten wetland sites that hold over 20,000 waterfowl, which include many waders.