Got up to a bright and cloudless morning and made my way down to Stockbridge and then Brook. Walked along a path to a house where the Spotted Sandpiper was seen immediately feeding on the lawn of the house.
The bird was showing fairly well so could make out the two toned bill, the yellow legs and just about could make out the unmarked tertials. Later on the bird moved to a better position and then these features could be seen much better.
The bird wagged its tail up and down as it walked about and one of the birders there, in a loud voice, said "see how it bobs its tail up and down - that's definitely a Spotted Sandpiper!". How about that for ID?
One endearing feature was when the bird found a worm it would rush off to the edge of either the river or the stream running through the garden and consume it there.
On the way home I nearly took out a Buzzard which had flown out of a roadside bush.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Monday, 23 November 2009
Wash out Sunday (23/11/09)
Met up with the NE Hants RSPB group for a trip to Pagham, however, the weather was atrocious.
Walked to the hide over Sidlesham Pool and then the rain started. Usual stuff on the pool and surrounding farmland.
We walked around the back of the visitor centre but nothing to be seen so it was decided to go directly over to Church Norton.
At Church Norton we decided to look for Firecrest but in the strongs winds and wet it made it nigh on impossible.
We walked to the hide and then the skies opened and the visibility reduced markedly. At this point I thought that was no fun and decided to go home. I made my excuses and then drove straight home for lunch and a cup of tea.
BTW: Booked a holiday to Brazil next year - my first trip to South America!
Walked to the hide over Sidlesham Pool and then the rain started. Usual stuff on the pool and surrounding farmland.
We walked around the back of the visitor centre but nothing to be seen so it was decided to go directly over to Church Norton.
At Church Norton we decided to look for Firecrest but in the strongs winds and wet it made it nigh on impossible.
We walked to the hide and then the skies opened and the visibility reduced markedly. At this point I thought that was no fun and decided to go home. I made my excuses and then drove straight home for lunch and a cup of tea.
BTW: Booked a holiday to Brazil next year - my first trip to South America!
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
14th November (Moatlands)
On a very blustery day decided to try and see the juv. Long-tailed Duck at Moatlands. Spent the next couple of hours searching for the duck and eventually walked all the way around the lake!
The trouble was about 1/2 way around the heavens opened and I got totally soaked!
I eventually decided to give it up as a bad move and returned to the car. I had a quick conversation with a couple of other birders and it turned out that the bird was viewable from the eastern end (a minutes walk from my car!).
As I was already soaked I walked out to the edge of the lake and there it was loafing near to the island. Oh well, the things I do for birding :-)
The trouble was about 1/2 way around the heavens opened and I got totally soaked!
I eventually decided to give it up as a bad move and returned to the car. I had a quick conversation with a couple of other birders and it turned out that the bird was viewable from the eastern end (a minutes walk from my car!).
As I was already soaked I walked out to the edge of the lake and there it was loafing near to the island. Oh well, the things I do for birding :-)
Monday, 9 November 2009
Lower Farm GP (08/11/09)
On arrival at the hide the Whooper Swan was seen to be present. Spent most of its time with its head under its wing but a couple of times it raised its head and then could see the bill pattern.
Its head was quite rusty!
Amongst the large numbers of LBB Gulls was an adult Yellow-legged Gull
Its head was quite rusty!
Amongst the large numbers of LBB Gulls was an adult Yellow-legged Gull
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