GREAT SNIPE

On the 14th of September we got the news about a Great Snipe at Kilnsea but we could not get their before dark, the last pager message that evening sead that it flew of towards Southfield farm and I thought the chances of seeing it are extremely low and their is no point in going. Anyway I did go and this was quite a good move because we were giving ridiculously good views of the Great Snipe for the whole time we were their. The overall shape was more like a woodcock than a CS, Although we didn't see it fly you cold see the white wing coverts, lots of white in the tail and heavily barred under-parts reaching the under-tail. The bird gave fantastic views throughout the day and apparently feeding 3 ft away from the observers after we left. we didn't see anything else that day and we missed the Barred Warbler but I am not complaining. Thanks to Andrew for Taking me their.

(Great Snipe - Harry Murphy)

(Great Snipe - Harry Murphy)

(Great Snipe - Harry Murphy)

   

(Great Snipe - Harry Murphy)

7th September 2013

With rain and easterly winds the day before I thought it would be a good idea to go to Hartlepool so I did and it was dreadful to start with but as the day progressed it started to get more eventful with lots of Wheatears kicking around the Headland and a Whinchat. A Barred Warbler had been found in the zink works bush's and I was kindly given a lift their, Although we did get a brief view of a big grayish warbler we couldn't be certain but a Juvenile Red-backed Shrike mad up for it. After that we went back to the Headland and had flight views of a Wryneck, some more Wheatears and a male Whinchat.

Hartlepool Headland
Whtatear x14+
Whinchat x2
Wryneck    

Seaton Common
Whinchat                              
Red-backed Shrike              

(Red-backed Shrike - Harry Murphy)

Stilt Sandpiper

Stilt Sandpiper in Cheshire

The morning of the 1st of September was spent on the computer trying to find out train times and prices to get to Northwich Station in Cheshire. It would be a 4 and a half hour trip their and a 5 and a half hour trip back but it was made far easier when my friend Andrew took pity on me and drove me their. We arrived on site (Neumann's Flash) at about 16:30 and we were told the stilt sand was still their so I quickly walked and ran a bit to the hide and I was greeted with good views of the Stilt Sandpiper! It was a moulting adult still showing the heavy barring on the under-parts and was still keeping hold some black scapulars, The bright supercilium long bill, grey upper-parts and white rump made it look like a dumpy Curlew Sand, Great Bird! After missing the Northumberland bird last year it was great to catch up with this species.  

(Stilt Sandpiper - Harry Murphy)

Stilt Sandpiper - Harry Murphy)