A Grand Day Out, at Blacktoft

Sometimes, birding a local patch can be tough going. Even more so when you write a birding blog that's mainly about that patch. Uttoxeter Quarry's been pretty quiet of late. Other than Green Sands, there were these 7 Black-tailed Godwits on the 6th.


As for this weekend, lets have a look at the Marsh Sandpiper at Blacktoft Sands. I've seen a few of them at Bharatpur before, but not seen one in Britain. And I'm sure Mad Malc wouldn't say no to a lifer.

It's only just over a two-hour drive away, then a walk to the screen adjacent to the Ousefleet hide, after a short wait the Marsh Sandpiper appeared. Hurrah!



It was a most enjoyable three hours at Blacktoft. Visiting all the other hides, there was an excellent supporting cast. Which included 2 Spoonbills, 1 Garganey, Wood Sand, Spotted Redshanks, Ruff, 6 Avocets, 8 Little Egrets and Marsh Harriers.







Just Blithfield today, on a rather wet day. But a decent array of stuff on offer in Tad Bay. Including 36 Little Ringed Plovers, many of them juveniles.


Also an Osprey, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Wigeon and 3 Garganey. This really is one of them from Tad Bay, and not mixed up with pictures from Blacktoft yesterday!