We arrived at Camp Lane pits and got fairly good views of the Pectoral Sandpiper. This North American wader looked splendid in its Summer plumage, its just a pity that the light wasn't great for photographs....still I've attached some record shots of them below. Also of note here were 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher and 6+ Common Terns.
After spending a while enjoying the sandpiper we popped down to the 'old workings'. A pair of Common Terns were at the 'island pool',one of which appeared to be sitting on eggs on the tern raft. The pair of Oystercatchers that bred on the island had successfully fledged to young and both the adults and juvs were wheeling around chuntering as they flew.
We then headed back to the patch and finished our days birding at Captains Pool. The 2nd pair of Great Crested Grebes were still sitting on the nest near the waters edge. The original pair of Grebes are now sitting on the eggs of their 2nd brood on the nest at the edge of the island. Also, the Canada Geese have hatched 4 chicks although 2 seam to have been predated already.
Pectoral Sandpiper - Grimley, 23rd May 2011:
Nice pics & a nice piece of video there, Jason.
ReplyDeleteWell done with the Pectoral Sandpiper Jason! Nice photos of it and an enjoyable video.
ReplyDeleteSounded like you had an enjoyable day altogether.