Laps, Dowitcher & LRP

Despite the cold and brisk north/north-easterly wind blowing across Dale Airfield this afternoon, my eagle-eyed daughter still managed to locate a Lapland Bunting ("Dad, there's a small bird just there"), which turned out to be 2 birds, and quite good views considering how difficult these birds (presume the same that overwintered here) have been to see.  They were on the western runway, north of the main crossroads.  One a male starting to come into breeding plumage (but still some way to go).  Also 19 Golden Plover on the airfield, a Snipe and a scattering of Wheatear.  Onto the Gann and I was pleased to find the Little Ringed Plover found earlier in the week, on the patch of mud in front of the cottages at the south-west corner of the lagoon.  My first ever spring LRP in Pembs and only my second in 25 years!  I was also surprised to locate the Long-billed Dowitcher at the far north-west end of the lagoon, in front of the reedbed feeding with a Redshank.  It later flew back to it's usual spot below the road. Also here a Greenshank, a female Goldeneye, 39 Teal, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Wheatear & 5 Shelduck.