Tuesday 29 July 2014

Stilt Sand

Cresswell this morning was not looking too promising. Scanning from the causeway Dunlin numbers were down on my last visit, with 2 Knot and 1 Ruff, but no sign of the Curlew Sandpiper. Stood chatting about yesterday's good fortune and the news came through that a Stilt Sandpiper was showing from the hide. A quick dash and the bird was on show on the sand bar, a cracking barred adult. The waders all lifted before I could get a photo and settled on the spit. It gave good scope views as it fed, but a bit far for a photo. The following crap photo is a heavily cropped phone shot, hand held through the scope.


Can you see what it is yet?
A look at Castle Island failed to turn up the pratincole, but there was a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper.

At Shibdon there were 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff and 6 Shoveler. One of the Godwits was colour ringed in Iceland and hopefully more information will follow.

Black-tailed Godwit
Ruff
A Cormorant caught and struggled to swallow a large Flounder. The first Flounder that I have seen here for years. Small ones used to come in through the sluice, but never as big as this one.

Cormorant with Flounder

3 comments:

  1. Any more spotted flycatchers seen in the area?

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    Replies
    1. None in Gateshead, but a few should move through in August.

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  2. Amazing capturea and blog here! I initially noticed your "Cormorant vs Flatfish" shot. That looks like a huge fish staring down its captor's (long/skinny neck!) throat!

    So the cormorant was really able to win the battle and gulp down that huge fish okay?? Does the prey put up a good fight, if eaten, does the unlucky fish get swallowed wriggling/alive all the way as well?!

    -Kyle

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