With heavy rain in the forecast I opted for Earlswood again, arriving at dawn and enjoying about an hour of largely dry weather before the rain arrived with a vengeance. Two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, and two drake Wigeon from the causeway was encouraging, but that was about as good as it got.
Promisingly for the West Mids Alldayer on Saturday, the Ruff was still present at the bottom of Windmill along with the regular Common Sandpiper.
The most enjoyable time came when the rain pepped up and hundreds of hirundines perched on both the rafts and the metal stakes off the causeway. I estimated 300+ Swallows, at least ten Sand Martins and a similar handful of House Martins.
Among the hirundines was a strikingly colourless juvenile Swallow showing as the top bird in the previous shot. I focused on it, wondering if it could be some kind of hybrid, but concluded it was just a Swallow.
 |
| This is a colour photograph of a Swallow at the black and white end of the colour spectrum |
Later in the morning Rob W let me know there was a Glossy Ibis at Upper Bittell. A much prophesied new bird for the local area (though just outside my Circle) I went for it, but learned it had flown off north just before I reached the Arrow Pools. There have been quite a few in Cornwall in the last few days, so maybe there will be another chance.
No comments:
Post a Comment