I decided to pay a morning visit to Maxey GP, my local patch which has been having problems of late with the water levels. The pump has been broken and the water has been rising and rising, flooding the area and leaving it only suitable for wildfowl. The pump had been mended and the water removed revealing lots of wader habitat, ideal for a juicy rarity or two. On arrival I noticed two waders fly from a nearby spit, one Dunlin sized, the other smaller. On setting up my scope I saw the two birds to be a juvenile Dunlin and a juvenile Little Stint, a year tick and the first in two years.
 |
| The Dunlin is on the left, the Little Stint on the right |
And below, a little video of the two.
At lunchtime I received a call from Mike Weedon and a text from Brian Stone to tell me of a male Common Scoter at Ferry Meadows CP, a PBC lifer for me. I couldn't get there for a few hours and I hoped the bird would linger. I didn't have to worry as the bird was still present on my arrival, showing very well.
A small, black duck that is normally seen at the coast in large flocks, indeed I saw several at my last visit to north Norfolk, but this was the first time that I had seen one in my local area and a male to boot!
My year list now stands at a respectable 172, with my local PBC life list reaching 208.
I've never seen one yet, a good job that you did. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob, your time will come.
DeleteJ
You have certainly been having a 'purple patch' lately John! Well done on the Common Scoter and of course on the Little Stint and Dunlin. Great photos too. Unfortunately your video won't play on the iPad, I think it must be flash which iPad doesn't support, so I will look when I have the laptop on. There has been a Common Scoter at Draycote for much of September but I haven't been able to get there. Knowing my luck it will be gone when I do.
ReplyDeleteSorry to miss commenting on your recent posts, I am really struggling with blogging! I enjoyed catching up with them all though and well done on the Barred Warbler, as I said...a 'purple patch' :-)
Thanks Jan,
DeleteIt's the time of year when a lot of birds are on the move and with the winds some of these are being blown off course, where I have been able to catch up with them. It has taken me a few attempts to see a Common Scoter locally, they have normally moved off when I get there!
I hope you have enjoyed my posts, hopefully my purple patch will be extended! ;)
J
Great captures John. I have been away and missed the Ferry Meadows Scoter.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy,
DeleteYou shouldn't have gone away Roy, he was a lovely bird! ;)
J
That Common Scoter is really cool looking! Congrats on your new lifers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy,
DeleteIt was good to see one so close, they are normally 'blobs' in the distance on the sea.
J