randombirder

I had one hour.  With the Forster's Tern reported again for it's second day, the twitch-mobile was fired up where it was then seen powering up the A12.  A Peregrine and Buzzard were seen en route. Thankfully the site was easy to find.  The tide was out.  The weather typically autumnal.  There were plenty of waders out on the mud exposed by the receded tide. Flocks of Avocet , Black-tailed Godwit , Dunlin , Knot , Shelduck , and smatterings of Redshank , Turnstone , and Grey Plover  present.  A group of Pintail were roosting by the edge of the channel. Standing with Josh Jones, we picked up the Tern distantly.  The bird flew around before resting on the exposed mud.  This may have been the best view which was fine.  Time was limited. The bird then alighted, making steady progress toward us, following the channel before meandering round and flying swiftly by much like the time I was restricted to. Extremely elegant, the dark...

It is quite extraordinary that this resident of the Americas was found, ostensibly, on the wrong side of the UK.  Extraordinary that it should linger all day in brutish weather.  It was cold, and the northerly wind bared its' teeth. Leaving at 5am, I arrived dead on seven.  There were murmurings that the bird had already been sighted.  There were already around c300 twitchers on site. Moments later, a group of seven  Barn Swallow flew over.  Mass panic. A bird, shorter tailed hung back from the group then disappeared. Then the show began.  The American Cliff Swallow appeared, joining rank with it's European cousins.  Perching on top of a hawthorn for long periods appeared incongruous.  It was hard to imagine there was any food here for them. What appeared to be a juvenile, the short tail, dusty rump and nape, and a distinctive pale face mask made this bird really rather attractive. Then I left the assembled crowd. Spen...