8 May 2019 - Hollingworth Lake
« Newer | Older »2 or 3 Black Terns, 2 Common Terns, Grey Plover, Common Sandpipers, Grey Wagtail
Almost stayed in bed this morning - totally glad I didn't - arrived at around 6:35 in drizzle, and noticed what looked like a tern on a buoy - got my bins on it and realised there were 3 terns jostling for position on the buoy - one of them being a Black Tern! I thought the others looked like Arctic but it later transpired they were Common. They all started flying about, and the light was a bit duff, so it was hard to keep tabs on the Black Tern. However, I then noticed a couple of birds higher up - 2 Black Terns! I thought these had to be different birds but after faffing about with the camera, lost them to view and then it seemed all the Black Terns had gone. Alan and Andrew turned up and confirmed the remaining terns were Common, but couldn't locate any Black. A pair of Grey Wagtails were busy feeding young near the overflow, often perching on the bars. I think the nest is inside, below the grill, but I'm not sure. Lots of hirundines about too. Andrew reported a Sedge Warbler singing here but I couldn't hear it. A Greylag Goose was calling from near the reserve and shortly afterwards it swam past the Pavilion spit. After I'd left, Andrew reported another Black Tern and 4 Commics.
Went back for breakfast then called in briefly on the way to work - no further interest, but one Common Tern still present on the nearest buoy.
Called in at lunchtime, still raining, and took a few photos of the Grey Wagtail in slightly (only just) better light. A pair of Common Sandpipers landed on the rocks near the overflow.
Decided to go round on the bike again after work, even though Andrew had been around earlier and only seen hirundines (and a couple of Swifts). When I arrived on the lake front at about 6:30pm, I scanned over to the Pavilion spit and could see distantly what appeared to be a largish wader. After careful scrutiny and some photo enlargement I came to the conclusion it was Grey Plover. Long story short, I dashed around to Rakewood Road for better views from the overflow, and confirmed it was. Just then, a couple with a dog walked on the spit and flushed it along with 2 or 3 Dunlin. Fortunately it flew to the reserve spit where it stayed until at least 7:30pm giving nice views, despite the poor conditions. Alan managed to catch up with it, but sadly Andrew had his phone on silent and didn't get the message till it was too late.
What a day though - just like back in the 80's and 90s!
Black Tern just as I arrived at 6:35am
Black and Common Terns in the air together
Common Tern on the buoy
Grey Wagtail close to the nest by the overflow
Two Common Sandpipers at lunchtime
Grey Plover on the reserve in the evening!
Grey Plover and Dunlin on the move