September 6, 2007
Crakespotting
This weekend I returned to the UK for a job interview - I don't think I'll be offered the position, but a good excuse to visit the folks back home. On Saturday, Neil and I headed to Canvey Point for a high tide shorebird/wader roost where in recent weeks a White-rumped Sandpiper has been sporadically sighted. No sign of that, but a good assortment of species including Little Tern, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Grey/Black-bellied Plover and a few (Red) Knot.
Hopping around amongst the Spartina and Salicornia brought back fond memories of fieldwork on the other side of the world...
Here's a very easy 'quizbird' (answer at the bottom of the page)
Far too early on Sunday morning we headed up to Maldon to see a Spotted Crake that had showed up a couple of days back. This was only the second of the species I've ever seen (heard a few), and much, much more obliging than my 2 second glimpse at Grove Ferry many moons ago.
The supporting cast included a couple of Kingfishers whizzing past our ears, Black-tailed Godwits, Green Sandpipers and Avocet. All these photos were taken through Neil's scope which I managed to commandeer again - sorry Neil!
The quizbird is, of course, a Sandwich Tern.
