The ‘patch’ has been good for Temminck’s Stints in the last
week or so with at least eight birds seen. One has spent a few days on the wet
ditch and has been giving good views, although it is easily disturbed if anyone
comes too close. Likewise the Ferruginous Ducks on the percolation pond are easily
scarred but the numbers increased to 24 on 27 September with 16 still there the
next day. Numbers are difficult to accurately count as they hide in the big
reed bed. Three Garganey are also still on the pond but little else of note.
Two Purple Herons were seen flying over on 28 September but they did not land
and flew off. A few Northern Wheatears and Isabelline Wheatears have been passing through,
as have small numbers of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. Spotted Flycatchers have also
been seen occasionally, as was one European Turtle Dove in the trees beside the
pond. This is the first individual of this species I have seen for more than a
month. Unfortunately the bird was into the sun so the photo is not as good as
it could have been. The settling pond has very little water and is mainly mud
now but has attracted a small flock of 15 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper and
Kentish Plover. Up to four White-winged Terns have been over the percolation
pond for a few days and plenty of Barn Swallows and Sand Martins are still
around.
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| Temminck's Stint |
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| Temminck's Stint |
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| Temminck's Stint |
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| Purple Heron |
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| European Turtle Dove |
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| Wood Sandpiper |