On Saturday a report of a White Rumped Sandpiper at the RSPB reserve on the Ouze Washes came up on the pager and as Olly Clam needed it (Tart) we decided to go for it, only three of us this week as Campvan Clam has "Gone Fishing" !
We arrived at 9am the weather was cool with a strong North Easterly wind but no rain yet, so we walked onto the reserve, the pager said that the bird had been seen the day before between the Stevens Hide and the Railway Bridge, looking at the map of the reserve, the Stevens hide was the last hide about 3k away! Olly Clams legs were already knackered as he had played 36 holes of Golf on Saturday but never mind we have to go through pain sometimes to get birds, Physically & Mentally !
We stopped in the first hide for a scan. In the hide there was another Birder we asked if the White Rumper had been seen today, but he said not yet but there is a Great White Egret showing over in the distance, so we set up our scopes and watched the bird for about half an hour.
From the hide the other birds that where present were large numbers of Teal , Gadwall , Mallard, 8 Ruff & 6 Whooper Swans.We couldn't see any other waders in this area so we packed up and took the long walk down to the Stevens Hide.
In the hide we set up and starting scanning arcoss the shallow pools and patches of mud. There were alot more birds in this area of the reserve, 150+ Teal , 60 + Gadwall, 28 Little Egret, 30+ Ruff , 5 Redshank, 4 Little Stint, 2 Marsh Harrier's , Mute Swans and a single Shellduck, but no sign of the White Rumped Sand!
We then over heard a Birder saying that the WR Sand was further down viewerble from the Bank, so we hurried out and walked down 150 yards and set up looking across another mud flat.
Alot more Waders here, 25+ Ringed Plovers, c.30 Dunlin, 5 Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank, but we couldn't see the W.R. Sand, then afew more birds flew in,Ruff mainly, Bart Clam then picked up a Pectoral Sandpiper and then another feeding in the vegetation, GREAT !
After staying another hour scanning through we still had no joy of picking up the W.R Sand so we packed up and headed back to the car!
Where next then? As the rain was starting to come down and the winds were good, we headed to the north Norfolk coast and too Warham where a Red Brested Flycatcher had been reported earlier in the day!
After an hours drive we arrived at Warham Green and walked down the path to where the bird had been reported, there was about 8 Birders looking and they said it was in the Hedgerow.Then we saw a small bird fly out and disapear out of view, none tickable views for Tom & Bart!
I then decided to check out a small copse behind us that was sheltered from the wind and rain, imediately inside the small group of trees I picked up a small passerine in the Hawthorns but couldn't get my bins on it. I called Bart and Tom over, then Bart pished and the bird flew up into the Hawthorn again - BANG ! Red Breasted Flicker !
The bird showed for about 20 minutes , cracking adult male! but then we had confirmation on the pager that the reported Booted Warbler at Burnham was the real thing, so a quick walk back to the car and we set off to Burham.(Tickers)
We arrived at Burham at about 1600hrs, and headed down the path towards the sea front and on top of the embankment to where a group of six Birders were standing they said the bird was in the vegetation in front of us about 10 feets away, then after 5 minutes it flew up and landed about 20 feet away, SEEN IT BANG! it showed briefly then flew back down. It repeated this process for about 15 minutes giving us good enough views to get all the ID features.
It was now tipping it down with rain and the wind was still getting stronger! Wish we could stay as these conditions are bang on for a Mega to drop in , but work is calling for the morning so we packed up and set off home!
What a GREAT days Birding!
On the way home the Pager rang out MEGA ALERT on Fair Isle (Shetlands) MAGNOLIA WARBLER!
Now most of the time we would look at this message and say "oh thats nice" because its usually to far for us to Twitch , but as the CLAMS are going upto Shetland next week and we may have the chance of seeing this LITTLE BEAUTY!
PLEASE STAY !!!
Keep on Clamming and logging onto our Blog as we are on Shetland for seven days from Saturday 29/09/12!
Olly Clam signing out.
Fingers crossed !! see you soon Clams ...
ReplyDeleteToo right Mick, see you up there Mick!
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