Guess Where?

Friday August 5

Yes, Snettisham again.

High tide was mid morning, so we didn't leave until after 8.00. Parking at the Rotary Hide, we walked towards the Shore Hide, comparatively very few waders on the shoreline to-day. Seeing a group of about 30 birders, including Sue Bryan,  scanning the bay beyond the hide, we joined them, standing next to Baz. The White-rumped Sandpiper was showing well (in the scope) the other side of the bay, along with Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstones. As the tide came in and wet its feet, it stopped sleeping long enough to hop onto slightly higher ground, before roosting again. We watched it for at least ten minutes. An adult bird moulting into breeding plumage, retaining a vestige of russet brown on the wings, its supercilium not as obvious as the pics show. I took some photos but am too embarrassed to post them here! Must be bad !! Distance does not lend enchantment to viewing a bird. The white rump is obvious in the one I took of it flying off.....

As the tide lapped even further, all the immediate birds took off, the White-rumped stayed a little longer and then followed suit, allowing a view of the white rump as it flew left towards the pits.

We followed suit, joining a very few others in the Shore Hide. The White-rumped was already on the island to the left, along with terns, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits. Not as many as on Wednesday but more than enough to make viewing difficult. The bird kept roosting out of view, being startled by a Kestrel, lost in the swirling maelstrom, re-found and then lost again. Eventually it appeared on the near shore when a host of birders arrived to excitedly crowd the hide - it had come through on the pager. We felt it was time to leave and give others the opportunity to view.

We met JP steaming past (limping), energy to spare to-day, he'd already got a permit. It was a timely encounter for him, he thought that the Rotary was the Shore Hide.

Our first returning Sanderling scurried along the shore near the pier, lovely to see them again, in winter plumage too.

After a chat with Betty and Pauline, we drove straight home so that grass could be cut and tomatoes gathered. Should open a stall I think. Will have to make some juice for freezing.