We weren't expecting much when we set off this morning. The water levels were looking good at Hauxley with the Ponteland Hide producing a Greenshank, Kingfisher & 3 Common Sandpipers. After having missed Hobby on a number of occasions in the county I was very pleased to pick one up over the north pool at Chevington. It gradually flew closer and passed overhead heading south-west. A long awaited addition to the county list! 2 Ruff and a Little Gull were also at Chevington.
When we eventually tore ourselves away from the cricket on the radio at Druridge Pools, the number of butterflies on the wing was impressive. The 12 species on view were:
Painted Lady
Large Skipper
Small Skipper
Large White
Small White
Small Copper
Dark Green Fritillary
Small Tortoiseshell
Small Heath
Red Admiral
Common Blue
Meadow Brown
10 Ruff and 2 Little Egret were on the Budge Fields. 2 Peregrine flew over. A further 8 Little Egrets were at Cresswell (including colour-ringed bird 'T' 'F') along with a couple of Black-tailed Godwits.
Our last stop was Bothal Pond. We were stood at the south end when my Dad picked a wader up on the north side. I thought it looked like an adult Pectoral Sandpiper but because of the distance and heat haze neither of us were completely sure. We rushed up to the north end, and at first we couldn't see it anywhere. Then it landed on one of the concrete blocks in the middle of the pond, providing great scope views and putting the ID beyond doubt. We were only able to watch the Pec Sand for a few minutes before it flew off north-west.
The bird had a severe limp due to an injury to it's right leg, so if it turns up again it'll be easy to know it's the same bird. A Green Sandpiper was also at the north end and an adult Ruff was from the south end.
PWC15
Species: 156
Points: 205
156. Hobby
156. Hobby
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| Pectoral Sandpiper |
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| Hobby |
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| Greenshank |
 |
| Caspian Gull |
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| 5 of 8 Little Egrets at Cresswell Pond! |
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