Long-billed Dowitcher

A quiet few days with some pretty miserable weather. Highlights were a flyover Hawfinch at Marsden Quarry on the 5th and Great Northern and Black-throated Diver from Whitburn Obs on the 6th.

AI walked into the Obs this morning put me onto two Merlin coming in off and taking prey on the way in. Not a great deal was passing in a gale force south westerly, but there was a late Manx Shearwater heading south. A bigger surprise was the female Marsh Harrier that went north, low over the sea.

Almost home when news of a Long-billed Dowitcher came through, so I was off to Cresswell. The bird showed well on the far shore, but it was a bit distant and dull for photos. The following my best phone-scoped shot.

Stunning shot of a Long-billed Dowitcher