Rain was forecast, and rain it did. It was however dry when Phil, Martin and myself headed off to Pembrokeshire to twitch the Baird's Sandpipers. The forecast rain was in evidence before we arrived to find we were the first birders on site. We gradually made away along the path to the roosting waders favourate spot picking up numerous Curlew, Oystercatchers and Rock Pipits. The rain was passing through in light showers, but we could find no sign of any small waders except 4 Ringed Plover. A distant Spot Redshank was noted on the back pools before other birders picked up the Calidrids and close views of the Baird's was had in the company of 5 Dunlin and a Turnstone. The second Baird's reportedly was seen, but we couldn't find it. By this time the rain was getting harder and more persistent, so we called time and made our way back to the car to decide on our next course of action.
By the time we got back to the car we resembled drowned rats, so rather than hang around for a coffee and celebratory Tunnock's, we set of, if only to take advantage of the car heater to dry out and warm up. The next stop would be WWT Llanelli.
Arriving at Llanelli, we quickly made our way to the British Steel hide. The hide was quite busy, but most birds were hunkered down in the rain and wind. A Common Sandpiper and a surprising LRP were perhaps the top birds found, though the Pintail was the first returning bird for this coming winter. Whilst we were keeping dry in the hide both Phil and myself managed to sort out our Whatsapp connection to the local birders group.
After a bit of lunch and not a lot of bird action, we set off home, only to receive a message via Whatsapp that the Pec Sand, that had been found at WWT a couple of days ago and not seen since, had re-appeared. As we were approaching Gowerton, we turned round and headed back to WWT. On entering the Observatory hide we were greeted by the fateful news - you should have been here 2 mins ago, it's just been flushed by a Sparrowhawk! Despite much searching by a number of birders, the Pec (or was it a Sharp-tailed?) was never refound. No doubt it will re-emerge over the next couple of days.
Sorry no Photo's as the weather was to bad to get the cameras out!
By the time we got back to the car we resembled drowned rats, so rather than hang around for a coffee and celebratory Tunnock's, we set of, if only to take advantage of the car heater to dry out and warm up. The next stop would be WWT Llanelli.
Arriving at Llanelli, we quickly made our way to the British Steel hide. The hide was quite busy, but most birds were hunkered down in the rain and wind. A Common Sandpiper and a surprising LRP were perhaps the top birds found, though the Pintail was the first returning bird for this coming winter. Whilst we were keeping dry in the hide both Phil and myself managed to sort out our Whatsapp connection to the local birders group.
After a bit of lunch and not a lot of bird action, we set off home, only to receive a message via Whatsapp that the Pec Sand, that had been found at WWT a couple of days ago and not seen since, had re-appeared. As we were approaching Gowerton, we turned round and headed back to WWT. On entering the Observatory hide we were greeted by the fateful news - you should have been here 2 mins ago, it's just been flushed by a Sparrowhawk! Despite much searching by a number of birders, the Pec (or was it a Sharp-tailed?) was never refound. No doubt it will re-emerge over the next couple of days.
Sorry no Photo's as the weather was to bad to get the cameras out!
Nice write up and great for me not to do it and best sight for me was the Common Sandpiper diving right under the water to escape that blood spar.
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