While Mark was waiting patiently for the Spotted Crake to show at Farlington Marshes this morning he was good enough to give me a bell to inform me that a Ruff was present and showing at the eastern end of 'The Lake'.  Since I needed the Hampshire year tick I soon found myself driving East along the M27 on a 'twitch'. 

   Literally sixty seconds after I had arrived there was a buzz amongst the group of 'birders' on the seawall as the Spotted Crake finally at 1418ish put in an appearance.  Although I was there for the Ruff I haven't actually seen that many Spotted Crakes so I was keen to make the most of my good fortune and get my scope on the elusive bird before it disappeared.  As it turned out there was no immediate rush since the bird started to preen at the edge of the reeds in full view for a couple of minutes to everybody's enjoyment.  In the same field of view but slightly to the left of the Spotted Crake was a Water Rail that just stood beside the reeds - superb!

    After the Spotted Crake disappeared in to the reeds I soon found my target bird that was also to be found at the eastern end of 'The Lake'.  The plumage of the Ruff made it a strange looking individual and well worth the 'twitch'.  It had a white head, neck and underparts with a black patch on each flank.  The wings and upperparts were more orthodox as were the legs and bill base (orange).  It was a shame that the specimen was too far away for a record photograph. 

   Other species present included:  Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Grey Plover (summer), Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Dunlin (summer). 

   I also had my second Clouded Yellow Butterfly of the week. 

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)