From visiting birder Ian SmithThursday 3rd September…...A VERY Quiet Day
Dale Airfield 09:45-12:15
Still 14 Linnet flock and 3 Goldfinch.
3 Wheatear and 1 Curlew.
Ringed Plover heard calling.
Fem Sparrowhawk chasing Mipits and "may well have caught Snipe but failed to subdue it as both arose from same spot in grassland" per Brian S.
The Gann 12:20-15:00
Shanks 12 hidden birds accidently flushed into the intense sunlight. Luckily visiting birder Alun Hughes on opposite side of Lagoon reckoned on 6 Greenshank and earlier (12:30?) had seen Little Stint that flew off. All I could see were 4 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover which gradually became 1 of each. Juv Peregrine flew around ignoring everything on beach. Insects better with Common Darters; Hoverfly migrants S.pyrastri and H.triviattus and a few Small Tortoisehells. Second visit between 17:00-17-55 equally poor but included 2 Wheatear, 9 Redshank, 2 each of adult Med Gulls and White wagtails. No small waders at all.
A walk to St Anne's Head cottages from Kete car park (15:35-16-20) was birdless ignoring the Sparrows and Martins on houses.
Things can only get better(?)