Thursday 7 November 2013

Hitting a Purple Patch

We went to Bimble Bay again today.
I looked in the bushes for any ringing going on, but I couldn't see any. We therefore shared cars to Bimble Bay Dams. We tried the big hide first, but it was relatively quite, with not a single wader to be seen. Bird seen included: Heron, Teal, Herring Gull, and a Sparrowhawk being chased by Magpies or Crows.

Purple Sandpiper
 Heron (with a gull we totally ignored at the time!)
Trying the smaller hide we came across Tree Sparrows on the way & plenty of Blackbirds. From the hide itself we saw absolutely hordes of Moorhens, plenty of Friday Unmentionables, but a pair of Wigeon flew in later. 
Teal
 Oystercatcher
We tried birdwatching from Carr Naze. A Redshank was the only bird any way near the grotty pond just through the gate. We could see plenty of Oystercatchers from here, and a single Curlew, and Cormorants flying low over the sea. Reaching the end Lynn spotted a seal pup, and Eric identified a female Eider bobbing off the end of the Brigg. As we made our way back a flock of tiny waders were seen, which turned out to be Dunlin. Later I saw three Turnstones fly in & myself and Anthony could make out a Purple Sandpiper scurrying along the water's edge. 
Knot & Dunlin (left)
 Turnstone (& rear of Purple Sandpiper)
 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot & Purple Sandpiper - you decide
 ditto
 ditto
 ditto
 Cormorant
 Record shot of Rock Pipit
All Action Pictures (c) 2013 Tony Robinson 
Mock Air Sea rescue
 Daredevil

In the afternoon we went down onto the beach first, and saw a select sprinkle of wader species, but they were continually being frightened off by rampant dogs. Despite the canine invasion, I think it was the first decent views some had obtained of a single Purple Sandpiper. It was certainly the first the Weds pm group had seen for some time. Hardly noticeable among the seaweed were a few Rock Pipits, with Meadow Pipits somewhere around too. The subsequent visit to the Dams was as disappointing as in the morning. A single Curlew & a sole Redshank dropped in briefly.  The most interesting sighting came in the afternoon.  I went to inspect the site of the mist nets in the Carr Naze bushes, when a Woodcock launched itself into the air - I didn't have my camera with me at the time.   That's the most convoluted use of a euphemism I've made it quite some time!

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