The exceptionally long-staying WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT by the Lyle Hide at Welney WWT (Craig Shaw). The bird was still present in mid August.
SATURDAY 24 APRIL
A dry day with southerly winds, although temperatures dropped sharply in the evening.
WELNEY WWT (NORFOLK)
(1800-2030 hours) A rare afternoon out with Frossy (aka Mick Frosdick). Had seen very little of him in a long time so it was great to catch up and share a few fond memories. Our target bird was a beautiful male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT that had taken up territory close to two of the hides north of the main centre. The bird had been singing and showing well in the first three hours of daylight and being highly crepuscular in their actions, I wholly expected the same to be repeated tonight. It didn’t unfortunately though, and along with five or six other observers, we really struggled to get on to it. It was skulking in a sheltered ditch (the wind had freshened up quite a bit) and if it hadn’t been for the very sharp eye-sight of Kester’s father Ian Wilson, I doubt whether we would have seen it at all. Ian managed to locate the bird very late on actually sleeping (roosting) in the ditch and I was able to get my ‘scope on it and obtain full frame (but obscured) views of it up until dusk. It barely did anything other than occasionally open its eyes when I pished lightly.
An adult WHOOPER SWAN was still present on the reserve, whilst up to 4 pairs of Limosa EUROPEAN BLACK-TAILED GODWITS were in full display over the Washes. – my first of the year. A few Common Snipe were drumming whilst Avocet, Common Redshank, Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier (female), House Martins, 8 Yellow Wagtails and both Sedge and Western Reed Warblers were seen. A BARN OWL also flew along the river.
SATURDAY 24 APRIL
A dry day with southerly winds, although temperatures dropped sharply in the evening.
WELNEY WWT (NORFOLK)
(1800-2030 hours) A rare afternoon out with Frossy (aka Mick Frosdick). Had seen very little of him in a long time so it was great to catch up and share a few fond memories. Our target bird was a beautiful male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT that had taken up territory close to two of the hides north of the main centre. The bird had been singing and showing well in the first three hours of daylight and being highly crepuscular in their actions, I wholly expected the same to be repeated tonight. It didn’t unfortunately though, and along with five or six other observers, we really struggled to get on to it. It was skulking in a sheltered ditch (the wind had freshened up quite a bit) and if it hadn’t been for the very sharp eye-sight of Kester’s father Ian Wilson, I doubt whether we would have seen it at all. Ian managed to locate the bird very late on actually sleeping (roosting) in the ditch and I was able to get my ‘scope on it and obtain full frame (but obscured) views of it up until dusk. It barely did anything other than occasionally open its eyes when I pished lightly.
An adult WHOOPER SWAN was still present on the reserve, whilst up to 4 pairs of Limosa EUROPEAN BLACK-TAILED GODWITS were in full display over the Washes. – my first of the year. A few Common Snipe were drumming whilst Avocet, Common Redshank, Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier (female), House Martins, 8 Yellow Wagtails and both Sedge and Western Reed Warblers were seen. A BARN OWL also flew along the river.
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