Yes, I know I haven't updated my update lately, if you see what I mean, but the Old Codger has been really busy, not only at work, but also at home. However, I have been very fortunate in the last fortnight, in that I have connected with a World Lifer and a much-belated Devon tick.
First up, a trip to sunny Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset. I had never seen Western Sandpiper anywhere before as I missed this species when I visited Florida and Scotland is too far for me to twitch nowadays, but all that changed when I journeyed over the county boundary into Dorset. I had heard that the bird was still present that morning, so I drove up, arriving at Poole Quay at 1110 hrs. I had to wait 'til 1130 for the next boat to depart for the island, and much gnashing of teeth from the Old Codger passed before I eventually got onto the island. I was a little bit concerned that there were no other birders on the boat - surely the bird couldn't have buggered off before I got there? I need not have worried, having forked out for the boat and the landing fee, I was really lucky not to have to find the extra cash to enter the nature reserve. I ambled up to the public hide to find that the bird was showing there NOW! The hide was heaving with birders, but I was put on the bird immediately, whilst standing in the entrance, and some folks were just leaving thereby creating a space for me and others to sit down and drink in this tiny wader. Wow! My first world lifer since the American Robin down at Godrevy Towans, Cornwall last December. I was well pleased with myself. The bird flew off round behind some tamarisk bushes and the masses poured out of the hide along to the nature reserve to get more views.
Being of much previous experience of these situations, I decided to stay put and eat my sandwiches in peace! Sure enough, only about fifteen minutes later the bird flew back along and conveniently put down in front of the hide, giving brilliant views to yours truly whilst he finished his tucker! I had about five minutes of bliss before the hordes reappeared and with that the bird moved out of sight behind the reeds to the right of the hide. Well everything turned out fine and we all had more views of the bird. I even had time to take a celebratory pot of tea (really dude-ish I know!) in the cafe and had good views of a Red Squirrel before catching the boat back. Blimey, they even threw in a trip round Poole Harbour before dropping us back at the quay, what a day.
I had not really had much chance to go too far since the Western Sand, but news of a Devon tick had me scurrying up to Hartland Point in north-west Devon first thing this morning. I arrived in an easterly gale at the point which is very exposed at the best of times! Acting on the information I had, I was soon watching three Tree Sparrows in the hedgerow, a field over from the radio mast. I had never been able to go for this species in the county before either due to illness or family commitments, so I was overjoyed to finally 'catch up' with this bird in Devon, which is a very rare species in the county. For example, none were seen in the county at all in 2002! While I was there, hiding from the wind under a hedge, I also saw a female Merlin spooking some pipits, but as the wind was so strong I couldn't find anything else as everything was keeping low and in cover.
With the rest of October still to come, will anything else really good turn up? I'll try not to leave it so long before my next lot of waffle. White's Thrush in Yorkshire eh, shame its so far away!