16.09.08

Curlew Sand under a Curlew

I had a lovely couple of hours at Bowling green marsh this morning.
I got there for high(ish) tide and there were loads of birds around, the waders were all bunched up so you couldn't get a good view of what was there, until an Osprey few over.

As usually everything went up, a group of Avocets mobbed the Osprey as it circled over the site but everything settled once it was gone.

Then the fun started. I called out 2 Ruff walking along the far shore, feeding. Dave, another birder there, called Curlew Sandpiper. We managed maximum 4 Ruff in total and at least 6 Curlew sands.

Then the Canada geese started to come in. They brought out Wigeon and 2 Barnacle Geese, which I have been missing for ages. There was also a movement of finches, mainly Gold by their call. Other species included Blackwit, Red & Greenshank, Dunlin, Lpwing, Little Grebe, Teal, Shoveler, Little egret, Heron and a Sparrowhawk.

Great times.

31.08.08

i'm sorry no matter what i do i can't get these photos the right way around!!!

Finally managed to get time to see the Semipalmated Sandpiper at the warren. Work and home life have just taken over!

I got down at about 1845 and there were still other birders and photogs there.
The bird, as you can see had it's head under it's wing, dozing but it did occasionaly pop it's head up and gave good, close views of a rare find indeed.

Other birds to note; Artic Skua, Gannet, Sarnies, Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone and a Chiff

18.08.08

I really love these birds, they are so magestic and i watched, in awe, one preening at Powderham today.
Previously I went to Dawlish Warren ans watched the sea for an hour. Only good birds were 2 Artic Skua and a handful of Sarnies.