Having being pretty much 'confined to barracks' with my sodding back buggering up (yet again!!!), it was great to get out & about for a couple of hours today with Damo & Rob!!
It started with a call from Damo asking if I wanted to go for the White-winged Black Tern which had been at Blithfield Res. since Tuesday!!... A quick check with Mand, green light!!, I was on!!...
We picked up Rob & were soon on our way.... As we neared the roads were very flooded & traffic was also a hassle, but soon arrived & parked on the far side of the causeway & joined the 30 or so birders present....
The res. was literally teeming with terns & hirrundines, so I was amazed that within just a few moments I'd picked up the White-winged Black Tern in my scope!!! The smaller, stockier size & white rump really stood out, closer scrutiny revealed the lack of the black shoulder patch which is on Black Terns!!
It was a major tern fest with maybe 30+ Arctic Tern, around the same number of Common Tern and 7+ Black Tern, all flying around this part of the res.
We were then joined by Dan Pointon & Cheshire birder, Mark Powell. Dan was first to spot the other 'good' bird present that day, a Grey Phalarope sat out on the water!!!... The bird was out in the middle of the res. & slightly flighty, but gave good views, albeit distant!!
A lifer for me & Damo in the shape of the WWB Tern, & great tick with the Grey Phal!!... (only my 2nd ~ my 1st was also in Staffs. at Belvide Res. as few years ago!!)...
A great few hours out & just what I needed!! Cheers Damo, pity I cant join you later for a celebratory beer or two!!...
A shockingly dire (even for me!!!), pic. of a very distant Grey Phalarope (it's the very small blob to the right of the green bouy!!!).... I know it's awful, but it took some getting... so I'm putting it in!!....
Dan Pointon join's Damo & Rob as we get pretty excellent views of the White-winged Black Tern today!!....
...& here it is again, showing off it's 'pec' band!!... nice eh?...
