If both species are seen today, my year list would be put up to an incredible 199
And so we arrived at 9:15 and walked over to where our guide for the walk, Ian Packer, was waiting.
We started walking after everybody had arrived, with three Firecrest in the bushes along the road where we parked.
We headed west along the path, with a Grey Heron showing well.
We continued along the path, where a Kingfisher showed in a tree- although the lighting was not incredible to say the least...
On the marsh, there were plenty of Wigeon, Teal, Canada Geese and Shelduck present.
Nothing of note was about still, though, and I was wondering if everything may have moved on- there hadn't been any reports of the aforementioned species for a few days.
I continued scanning everywhere, including out on the sea, but nothing interesting was visible.
Then, at the back of a lagoon, I noticed two shapes. There was no doubt about this. Feeding in the water, phalarope-like- these were two Spotted Redshank, one of my favourite wader species and a long-awaited year-tick.
They were distant, but flew across the lagoon to the other side.
Surprisingly, I've only ever seen one before, which, coincidentally, was at this very site nearly exactly a year ago today (12th Nov). These pale redshanks in breeding plumage go very black with white spots, hence the name. Their behaviour and looks really make you love them. Great birds.
Needless to say, I was very happy with the sighting, with a new bird on my year list, and a great one at that. Year list up to 198.
We walked on, and a Dartford Warbler showed decently along the way.
The Spotshanks were still visible and started feeding again, sticking their rumps up into the sky in typical fashion for this species.
After a while longer walking along the sea wall, we double-backed on ourselves heading towards Normandy Lagoon.
One Spotted Redshank was still visible, showing closer, although in poor lighting.
I love'em.
We made it to Normandy Lagoon and scanned the lagoon. I was, of course, hoping to see the smart Long-tailed Duck nearby, but worryingly, there was no sign of it. There was plenty of everything else, though, with flocks of Dunlin, Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, and Ringed Plover all visible. Also, there were an impressive twelve Spoonbill sleeping on an island.
We continued on, really hoping that the Long-tailed Duck hadn't departed, me especially. A species I was unlikely to get anywhere else this year, and such a beautiful specimen, I really didn't want to miss it.
Still no sign as we moved on.
Then, as two others and I moved on further than the group was standing, Ian said to us, "You don't want to see the Long-tailed Duck then?"
Before long, we were onto it, the smart drake Long-tailed Duck. It was diving constantly, and at a distance, but you could see what it was well.
Views through the scope were truly breathtaking. Such an incredible bird. The only Long-tailed Duck I've seen before was the long-staying female at Hayling Oysterbeds. It definitely showed closer, but was nothing in terms of looks in comparison to this one.
I was very pleased, after having thought it had moved on, there it was. Number 199 this year. Wow. Sooo close. Hopefully, sometime soon I'll be able to get 200.
It stayed distant, so we moved on around the path closer to it.
The Spoonbill were slightly closer here, so I got a few photos.
Although a horrific photo, here's one with its beak open.
Such cool birds.
The duck was still distant, but slightly closer now.
A large flock of Dunlin flew up, giving breathtaking views as they flew around the lagoon. A Knot was also in the group.
A while longer was spent watching the sea, where a Shag was seen, a few Great Black-backed Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Peregrine and a few Herring Gulls.
Time was fast disappearing, and we had to start heading back towards the car.
The Long-tailed Duck had come a lot closer now, so I went down to the lower level and got some shots, my best yet of the day.
At points when it dove, you could actually see the long tail from which this duck gets its name.
Happy with my photos, we moved on and went back to the car, with another Spotshank seen along the way.
On the way home, a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen at Pig Bush. Adding only a few minutes onto the journey, we decided to stop off there in the hope of seeing it. I still haven't been able to see Yellow-browed Warbler, as they keep on evading me. It would be number 200, so it was a no-brainer to stop there.
Well, surprise surprise, no sign of it. As is usual with the NF, it was a beautiful place, with great views. Just no warbler....
So, we headed home with a good day's birding completed.
Well, 199. So close. So, so close. Tantalisingly close. With still a month and three-quarters left in the year, I should hope I'll be able to get to 200 at least. There are plenty of possibilities. Whether it be a common bird, a rare bird or anything in between, I don't know. There's been a few Pallas's Warblers within reach in Sussex today, and a Ring Ouzel, so if they stay, I might be due a trip into our neighbouring county sometime next week..... I'm still so happy to have seen the LTD so well- such an epic bird. The Spotshanks were brilliant as well. I just love their looks in the non-breeding plumage. Although the breeding plum is the "impressive" one, I much prefer the simple look of the non-breeding birds. Although I had dipped... yet another YBW, I'm not about to start complaining about the day's birds. Two great year ticks that I really needed. Not much else I could have asked for. We had been hoping afterwards to go and see the Boat-tailed Grackle at Calshot, which (albeit contriversially) could have been number 200 on my year list, but it flew off a few days prior and hasn't been seen since, which is a shame as it is a very cool bird, whatever its British status may be. Things just continue to get better and better... I've lost count of the number of birds I've seen in the past month. Since the Crossbill early last month, things have just been truly incredible, with bird after bird after bird turning up and staying, letting me see them. I was genuinely thinking this time last month that it was well-nigh impossible to get to 200, but here we are, with just one more bird needed. Never say never, though, it's still possible I don't make it...
I'm writing this listening to a pretty drab Chelsea game, hoping that the upcoming months' birding isn't anything like this terrible performance against an awful Wolves team....
Update- the Boat-tailed Grackle has been seen close to Calshot... I thought it might be somewhere in Hants. We'll see if it stays or not, and whether it's twitchable...
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