Sunday 18 February 2018

(Lifer ) Spotted Sandpiper + Willow tit in the Midlands.

A long drive to get me a Lifer at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham by the river Trent. Jimmy & Brian only needed the Spotted Sandpiper for a year tick but for me it would be a first one seen.
After arrival at the water sports centre it's not a long walk down the side of the White water rapids to reach marker 750 on the rowing lake to stand on the bridge looking over the calmer water at the end of the course.
We had been told the bird was around so just a question of waiting & it showed after about 20 minutes as it walked about on the side path to give very close views,it did fly off from time to time but always came back to more or less the same place.
We all picked up a year tick when we see a Common Sandpiper not to far away from the bridge.
We are told of a Long-tailed Duck on the Rowing lake & we find it with ease, it is not needed for a tick but a good chance of a close photo.
Some fellows that we have meet before at other locations tell us where to find Willow Tits not to many miles away so it's off to look for the place.
On route we decide to pop into Kelham Bridge as that was a lot nearer to us & we have been there many times & been lucky enough to see the odd Willow Tit.
In the hide the feeders are full & lots of Tits fly in to feed but after a good time the Willow Tit never came to play.
 We do pick up a year tick when we see 3 Male & 3 female Bullfinches in the back bushes so not a wasted trip.
But it's Willow Tit that we want while we up here so we head to Lea Marston that is the place we were told about & after a couple of wrong turns we find the hide we need & we see 2 Willow Tits within minutes of arrival.
Another couple of new places visited & we all get four ticks for the day & a added lifer for me.

                                                               
The Spotted Sandpiper

The Long-tailed Duck
Spot the difference  Brian's photo

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