16/8/16 Tuesday had arranged to go out with RL and ML late morning. Had time for a quick walk in Cottingham to the fields on the corner of Dunswell Road and New Village Road. Had an adult Green Woodpecker again as well family parties of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
A Pectoral Sandpiper had been seen by visitors at Tophill Low NR on Monday evening. Its continued presence on South Marsh East was reported just as my friends arrived so we headed that way.
South Marsh East at Tophill Low NR
Located it pretty quickly from the 1st hide but was distant so after getting a few records shots went round to back-to-back hide where it was closer.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East
It was in company with 3 Ruff. Also 3 Greenshank and at least 4 Green Sandpiper.
Greenshank at Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East
Ruff at Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East
Green Sandpiper with Teal at Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East
A Peregrine was circling ominously to the east. A bit worrying as the last Pectoral Sandpiper on 23/9/10 had been taken by a Sparrowhawk while RL and I watched and before RH got there. This one will be a site tick for him! This is my first since one on Swine Moor in October 2014. Last year was my first blank, probably since I first ticked one at Tophill Low NR in September 1990.
Walking back had a few Common Blue Butterflies near South Lagoon, a rare find this year.
Common Blue Butterfly [male above. Female below]
Had a drink in car park hide but nothing of interest on D reservoir. Did North Lagoon on the way out where there were another 3 Green Sandpiper.
Next was High Eske NR. Initially didn’t look good with with all the rocks, old field drains and mummified tree trucks providing plenty of cover but eventually the Little Stint was located along with two Common Sandpiper, Dunlin and a too brief Ruff. We all took loads of pictures but mine were no improvement on yesterday.
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