Up to 40 Black Terns driven down by the appalling weather conditions were batting up and down in front of the hide picking off insects emerging from the lake in typical marsh tern fashion. The variety of plumages on view was quite staggering with two individuals showing very pale upperwings, but unfortunately both sporting grey rumps and underwings. The rain eventually relented and the Blacks rested amongst the Commons on islands, raft and fencing; some of the birds were so close to the hide that you could discern their high-pitched flight call resembling a Little Tern. We watched them for around two hours, a most memorable experience of what is a beautiful species.
During the rain storm Arctic passage waders began to drop in: three Red Knots, Turnstone, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Sanderling, 20 Dunlins and two Grey Plovers were the highlights, alongside two Common Sandpipers, five Ringed Plovers, 10 Redshanks, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher. As I say terrific stuff.
With the rain easing we moved down to Makepeace hide for better views of the Black Terns when a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers dropped in for all of ten minutes, while hundreds of Swifts and hirundines swarmed over the water. We finished the bird tour in some style with prolonged views of a Bittern as it flew from Tower pits towards Boulderwall, where a Great White Egret was present earlier.
A grand total of 110 species were recorded over the three days for Clare and Peter with the only let down being the poor seawatching. However, this was more than compensated for by some quality waders including Wood Sandpiper, Red Knot and Grey Plover, plus Bittern, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Terns, Turtle Doves and Nightingales.
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