The morning of Saturday 9th May began with somewhat of a waiting game. So Richard and I set off to a local reserve in the Erewash Valley. An area of small pools and marshland with one pit ideal for migrating waders. A couple of Wood Sandpiper had been found a few days earlier so whilst waiting for news on the Yorkshire Dotterel, this seemed like a great place to start.
Wood Sandpiper is a smart and delicate wader and are always worth seeing. Also on the lagoon were Redshank, Little-ringed Plover, Lapwing and Gadwall. Despite the weather conditions, grey cloud and rain, I managed a few decent shots of these attractive waders.
Eventually news came over the media that the Dotterel were still present on the North Yorkshire Moors at Danby Beacon, near Whitby. So we made our way up North. Thanks must go to RichardP and Glyn for their continuous communications and help with directions. After a couple of hours drive and eventually finding the Beacon, we were soon watching the Dotterel. Again the weather conditions were awful and photography was extremely difficult. It also didn’t help when people kept flushing the birds. After a few anxious times when the birds went missing, they eventually settled down in an open area of burnt out heather. The females are stunning, in comparison to the rather dull and drab looking males. It was interesting to note the variety of waders up on this vast area of moorland. Golden Plover, Redshank, Curlew, Snipe and Lapwing were all present. So a couple of year ticks to add to my year list that moves on to 195.
Wood Sandpiper – Above four images – Erewash Meadows, Amber Valley, Notts/Derbys border – Tony Davison©
Dotterel – Above four images – Danby Beacon, North Yorkshire Moors – Tony Davison© – There was a party of four birds (2 pairs)
Golden Plover – North Yorkshire Moors – Tony Davison©
Red Grouse – 2 different males – above two images – North Yorkshire Moors – Tony Davison©
I especially like the Red Grouse in the rain.
Thanks Richard, Kinda sums up the day really !!