'Wood' You Believe it!

With news of 2 Wood Sandpiper at Reculver in Coldharbour yesterday I thought I had better go and see them as they are quite a scarce bird to see in the area although annual. The normal view you tend to get of this species at Reculver is a bird flying through the area calling so to have two birds present and seemingly showing quite well was a bonus. After parking up at the towers at 5.45am I made my way down the seawall to Coldharbour in cloudy conditions and noted the following: 7 Sandwich Tern, 30 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Owl, 19 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 7 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher was heard, 15 Linnet, c20 Meadow Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Turnstone, 2 Whimbrel and 1 Snipe west. As I approached Coldharbour I scanned the area and could see a group of waders at the east end and getting nearer I could see 2 Wood Sandpiper in with a group of 9 Dunlin. I got myself into a good position and they seemed quite happy feeding in the shallows so I spent some time taking photos. I was joined by Barry a while later but the only thing missing was the sun.

Wood Sandpiper

With the Wood Sandpipers quite happy and a few photos in the bag we wandered back up the seawall noting c8 Sedge Warbler, 14 Ringed Plover, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Shelduck, 4 Curlew and 1 Wheatear was seen on the seawall. With the sun trying to break through we went inland and had a brief look for the Lesser Emperor but with the temperature not really warm enough there were not many on the wing but I did manage to see 1 Emperor, 2 Willow Emerald Damselfly, 2 Migrant Hawker and 1 Southern Hawker. Lots of Common Blue and Blue tailed Damselfly were also noted. On the water were a family of Tufted Duck along with c14 Little Grebe and a juvenile Cuckoo showed well and allowed me to take a few photos.

Juvenile Cuckoo

Other birds noted here were 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 2 Jay. I am praying that the Long tailed Blue butterfly hangs around till tomorrow at Kingsdown, there are now 2 there. Hopefully this butterfly will be seen tomorrow but I will give it a good go anyway and hope my luck pays off. 

Wood Sandpiper