I was very lucky today as a friend offered to take me to Grenham Bay to see if I could catch up with the Grey Phalarope that Steve Tomlinson had found on the 21st and that had been seen regularly since. I was extremely grateful for the lift as I have not seen a Grey Phalarope before and having seen photos of it on Chris Hindle's blog it looked such a beautiful little bird that it was great to have a chance to see it.
On arrival I literally couldn't believe my luck when the first bird that I saw was the Grey Phalarope (152) and what a little stunner it was too. For the next 10 minutes I was treated to some super views. Apart from the odd passing dog walker there was not a soul around and I was very lucky as gradually it moved closer.
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| Grey Phalarope |
Suddenly a Herring Gull dive bombed a nearby Black-headed Gull and the Grey Phalarope and the gull took to the air. I only just got it in the frame as it took off but luckily managed one in the frame as it flew off. It settled a good way away before, after a little while, flying back and landing pretty much in the same place I had originally seen it. It hadn't long settled back when I heard a loud commotion and glanced up to see birds scattering in all directions as a Peregrine flew through. When I looked back the Phalarope was gone. I did not see where it had headed and after a while, as it had not returned, I headed off for a quick look round.
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| Grey Phalarope |
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| Grey Phalarope |
When the Peregrine had come through 68 Turnstone had flown up and the 9 Sandwich Tern which I had seen roosting on the shore took to the air in panic. I walked along the promenade for a little way and I had a single Common Sandpiper call from the shore. A Little Egret was feeding nearby and was a pleasure to watch as it tried its luck in various rock pools and appeared to be quite successful, sometimes stirring the water with its foot and other times staring intently before darting forward with its bill. I saw 5 Little Egret in total.
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| Little Egret |
A pair of Herring Gulls were displaying nearby. Both were throwing their heads back and calling, sometimes at the same time or else one then the other. Then they walk alongside each other making mirror movements. It was great to be able to just stand and watch.
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| Herring Gull |
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| Herring Gulls |
28 Oystercatchers were actively feeding along the shore. The bird below had a fair bit of trouble with getting into the shell that it had picked up.
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| Oystercatcher |
A pair of Pied Wagtails were picking insects from amongst the seaweed before moving to the sea wall and trying their chances there. I always enjoy watching them.
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| Pied Wagtail |
Several Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls were turning over seaweed and picking out the insects that they uncovered. There appeared to be very good numbers of insects. The Herring Gull that I was watching could pick up a surprising amount of sea weed and then enthusiastically toss it aside.
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| Herring Gull |
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| Black-headed Gull |
It had been a great, if brief, visit but I needed to get back so that my friend wasn't kept waiting too long. I was chuffed to see that the Grey Phalarope had returned as I headed back to the car. It really was one beautiful bird to watch and had it definitely made my day.
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| Grey Phalarope |
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| Grey Phalarope |
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