Black-winged Pratincole. 2nds.

Today dawned bright and sunny, so I cadged a lift with Gary Woodburn and headed down to Bothal Pond for some frame filling Prat action...

I thought we would get there and the star of the show would behave as yesterday, casually hawking insects down to only a few yards on the near edge of the pond. On arrival the pratincole was hunkered down out of a March wind in a depression in the mud on the opposite bank. Time to get the gear ready. It'll need to feed soon and join the Swifts over in our corner.

Two hours later and the Black winged Prat was just that. It hadn't moved other than to do a bit of casual preening. A Jackdaw kicked it into a very brief flight when it landed almost immediately, then, another hour later, it wandered for 50 yards along the shore, took off and flew straight back to its 'hoof mark' and settled down again!

I think it was too cold for larger flying insects so the poor thing was just waiting it out...Never mind, good scope views were had.

Black winged Pratincole. As close as it got.

The usual position this morning as seen through the scope...

A right prat...

A rare pictureless post tonight. A great message on WhatsApp this afternoon from Bob Dack had me scuttling off to Bothal Pond to see my first county tick of the year - Black winged Pratincole. I missed last years bird ( found by the same observer) but now have had both Collared and Black winged in the home lands. Result!

I might try a second visit tomorrow if its around, as there were some great photo opportunities  today as it flew past in good light at close range. I didnt have any bins with me let alone camera, so thanks to Bob, Dave and Andy for letting me get a good look at the bird through their gear before I had to get back to work.

Northumberland List -  334.