Long-billed Dowitcher (centre) with Black-tailed Godwits. When I first picked it up I could just see the top of it's head and breast. It had presumably been tucked in underneath the bank, out of sight, only coming into view as the tide rose.
I joked with Lee yesterday that the Long-billed Dowitcher would never relocate to this side of the Exe. We've never had a yank wader in Exmouth so it simply couldn't happen! It was therefore with considerable surprise that, around 120pm, I picked up an orangey-looking wader in the channel off Mudbank that looked every inch 'dowitcherish'! It soon popped its head up and I was able to put the news out. The tide crept in very slowly and the bird remained for over two hours before apparently flying upriver, just after half three. Several birders managed to see it but it spent most of its time asleep and the lighting was just too harsh for decent photos. Also off there - 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, c40 Ringed Plovers, 13+ Dunlin, 8 Knot, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Common Terns, 25+ Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 1 Whimbrel.
Earlier, on Orcombe - 18+ Chiffchaffs, 60+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Tree Pipits, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtails, c20 Goldfinches, 24 hirundine sp, 9+ Swallows, 13+ House Martins, 1 Little Egret, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Whitethroat, 1+ Cirl Bunting and 1 Red-legged Partridge.
The white bars on the tail are a little wider than expected which makes the tail look quite pale. I believe this is a variable feature though. Thankfully Lee, who found this bird in Shutterton Creek yesterday, heard the diagnostic call.
Every time I've ever seen Long-billed Dowitcher I'm taken aback by its small size - here with Oystercatchers.
Tree Pipit climbing a tree - Orcombe Point.
Great find Matt, felt sure it was long gone, was watched until it was too far away to see! Incredible that yank waders have avoided Exmouth, although the Semi-p Plover was seen on the beach in Sep 97
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev - can't take any credit for finding it - Lee's bird but really chuffed it saw sense and moved to the correct side of the river! Had completely forgotten the Semi-p Plover had been seen in Exmouth - wish I'd seen it over here. It's a miracle any waders stop on Exmouth beach as it's never not busy. Perhaps it was a little quieter back then though. All the best. Matt.
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