Waders

2/07/11

Upton Warren was superb!!

The usual early Autumn waders were on the move again, Black-tailed Godwits, Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers, and Less noticable movements of both LRP and Lapwing.

We stopped near the bench, as a Pair of REDSTART has been seen for a couple of weeks, but we had failed to connect.

However today was different and both male and female Redstart shown well as they used the hedge and the fence as a launching post for catching insects in the Transmitter Field. A great bird to catch up with and a nice Upton Tick having failed on so many redstarts before.

However as mentioned, the waders were here!!

A stunning flock of 12 Summer plumaged Black-Tailed Godwits had taken up residence for the day, and showing well in the gorgeous evening light, iluminating the Orange tones in the plumage.

Interestingly, the flock of 12 was seperated into 2 flocks, and at no point did a bird from one flock

move over to the other flock,

5 birds were feeding just out from the hide amongst the islands and the remaining 7 were feeding together on the south shore

Here is the 7 from the south shore.

A particular bird ( the one which is on its own in the photo's) shown particuarly well, and i took many images and videos.

However there was also many other birds around, 6 teal were new in.

The Wader numbers consisted of 1 OYC, 15 Avocet, 18!! LRP (not including the 2 unfledged chicks), 13 Lapwing, 12 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 BT Godwit, 3 Curlew.

A little owl was peched on a telegraph pole at the top of the hill, and the Redstarts shown occasionally.

MB