A rather interesting evening at Staines

After a busy day at work managed to get over to Staines with the plan of finding some seabirds in light of the regional influx.

Found a Grey Phalarope on the North Basin and a juvenile Arctic Skua did a spectacular fly-by along the Causeway and headed off west . The Red-necked Phalarope (now closer and easy to id) was on the South Basin.

Also 14 Ruff, 1 Knot, 5 Curlew Sandpiper, 50+ Ringed Plover, 40+ Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper were being hunted by the juvenile Merlin, a Peregrine and a Hobby. 

So basically, bloody brilliant and a good gathering of London/Surrey birders there too enjoying a great evening.  Love it when a plan comes together. 

 Juvenile Arctic Skua

 First-winter Grey Phalarope 

 Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope

 Juvenile Merlin 

Ruff

Didn't do too bad with the birding forecast this week? : HERE