A little further along the beach from the Sanderling. I came across a flock comprising 130 Ringed Plover with a few Dunlin in among as was the case with the Sanderling. I actually watched them come in to land from further down the beach. They only stayed a few seconds before a jogger set them off again. Much more skittish than the Sanderling.

Ringed Plover, Hayling Is, 16 Sep 2009

Jogger Alert

Round again cox'n

 Along the  beach I met up with Richard Ford who, like Darren was also looking for the Diver and possible Sanderling shots. It was then I received a call from Tony reference the Hook Razorbill. (Great find mate). Leaving Richard I did one last loop of Black Point hoping for the recent Guillemot but then decided to head west. I arrived at hook about 30 mins later and sat on the beach about mid position between the scrape and the harbour. I spent the next hour doing scope sweeps of Southampton Water between Calshot Castle and Fawley refinery. I was just about to call it a day when on one sweep, the Razorbill showed briefly on the surface before diving. By brief I mean around ¼ of a second. I knew in my heart this was the bird but as I waited for it to re-appear the doubts crept in. This is always a dilemma for me. I get that used to photographing each decent bird I get, that if I don’t photograph it will people think I am stringing!! Anyway I need not worry, after about 10 minutes, which seemed like another hour the bird showed again a good way from where it had dived. I had good scope views but I had to get a picture. If I say it is on a par with my American Golden Plover shot the other two Amigos will know that it might not be so good. I’ll leave you to decide.

Razorbill, Hook with Warsash, 16 Sep 2009

See it was there all along

This is what they look like normally (breding plum) Razorbill, Bempton Cliffs, 16 May 2007

I could not leave an entry with the first Razorbill shot!! This is what makes birding crazy, I think I have mentioned this before but I have to chase all over Hampshire for an Auk. Well just Razorbill actually as I still need both Guillemot and Puffin. The last time I was up at Bempton I was surrounded by hundreds of the beggars.

Steve Copsey