Arriving at Cresswell Pond yesterday morning, I had only time for the briefest of looks before a message came through of an adult Spotted Sandpiper at Foxton. 20 minutes later I was watching what was a county tick ,yet another in this good year for new county birds for me,this being my 4th. I had seen the last Spotted Sand. some years ago at Derwent Reservoir,but only from the Durham side .
A cracking find ,the bird fed below the road ,on the river’s muddy edges. Most of the county’s regular twitchers began arriving as the morning went on. Also present on the river ,were 4-5 Common Sands,a Greenshank, 3 R. B. Mergansers and a Kingfisher.
I left,heading up the coast to Newton,where a walk to the Long Nanny revealed a host of butterflies in the wild flower patches that have survived the dry summer,the grass being burnt brown. I noted at least 50 each of Meadow Brown, Common Blue and Small Heath. Also Several Tortoiseshells, and Small Skippers and 9 or 10 Dark Green fritilliaries.
At the Nanny Burn, around 500 Arctic Terns were on the beach,many feeding fledged young-no L ittle Terns now. Sadly, the remains of 6 young terns were seen , victims of predators. Perhaps one of the culprits hovered above in the shape of a Kestrel. Resting on the beach were 35 Sanderling, in various states of plumage moult ,a few Dunlin with them.
Back down to East Chevington ,where water levels look excellent for passage waders this summer/autumn. Feeding on the mud were 6 Knot,35 Dunlin, a Wood Sandpiper,Curlew Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper also a Little Egret was catching plenty of small fish. Good numbers of terns and Lapwings here too.
A S Jack
