Above and below - Both photo's courtesy of Tom Tams. I didn't have my camera, and they wouldn't be as good as these anyway. Its nice to see my notes compared to the pic after the event. I haven't made too many errors...
A nice suprise came today when yesterday's Little Stint at Cresswell Pond turned into a Semi-palmated Sandpiper!
The news came through first thing that the bird was flighting between beach and pond, so as I work only about 7 miles away, lunch was spent 'on the twitch'.
This bird was only Northumberland's second confirmed record after the bird on the Farnes in 1992 and was a county tick for everyone. Another Semi P had been claimed from the Blyth estuary several years ago but didnt make it on to the national record. As a result today just about every Northumberland birder was suddenly available to down tools and head to Cresswell.
The bird showed nicely on the small pool north of the causeway with a few Dunlin and Sanderling. It was a worn adult showing typically pale monochrome colouring as it poddled around feeding. On site I had to scribble notes into a work book and do them up at home. I must go out more equipped in future, after all autumn is here!
That brings my Northumberland tally up to 318, I think, and it was my second British Semi P after the bird at Saltholme Pools a couple of years back. Now, where's that Sharpie?...
Oh, with all the excitement I forgot that there was an Otter out feeding in the main pool and an adult Mediterranean Gull too...
4 comments:
Hi Stew,
The Blyth Semi-p was accepted by the county, so it's actually the third County record!
Great to see something to rare. Love your sketch and notes.
Nice picture Stewart...
If it sticks for a day or two I may pop in and see it... I've only seen 1 in the UK before....
Now, how about that sharp tailed sand... YES PLEASE !!
Brilliant sketched, whenever I see them always think I should try and do one. I always fail!!
You seem to be getting more moths than me and my trap, and it obscure places!
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