Saturday 24 April 2021

Wood Sandpiper- Beddington Farmlands

Got over the farm at dawn this morning following a big push of Little Gulls, terns and waders across land yesterday and a favourable forecast for today.  Not quite the shorebird fest we were all hoping for (Zac, Roger, Glenn, Ian and Nick were on their posts too) but a Wood Sandpiper that flew off the North Lake and headed to 100 acre was a clear highlight with supporting cast of 3 Whimbrel (one on deck that joined 2 flying over a while later), a couple of Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover with the bushes and scrub alive with warblers- Whitethroats, Blackcaps,  Reed and Sedge Warbler.

Yesterday I was confined to my office getting everything done in preparation for a two week work trip to the Black Sea that starts on Monday. However I kept the windows open and kept an eye out and managed to miss an Osprey but did get Greenshank (calling) and the first Hobby and Swifts for the year. Kojak joined me for a bit of window watching followed by kebabs.

So Spring is in full swing - there are Arctic Terns, waders and Little Gulls pouring across land while even more of them plus skuas including Poms are streaming along the south coast today. It seems a shame to be leaving but with any luck the spectacle that awaits on the Eastern Flyway should be well worth the journey.

Whimbrel in the blue
Not the greatest photo of a Wood Sandpiper 
The early decked Whimbrel that joined the two above as they flew over 

2 comments:

Jonathan Lethbridge said...

A great selection of birds Pete. This time of year is just brilliant.

Peter Alfrey said...

Cheers Jono. Absolutely!