However, Sunday there was a Common Tern and a Bar-tailed Godwit seen (Steve Cawthray/Steve Haynes)
My week of hill walking was a complete wash out, rain I can cope with but not very high winds (up to 90mph) so being based in Perth and with all the hills I need to climb being at least a 300 mile round trip we just didn’t bother. The winds caused me problems with birding as well and it was a poor week bird wise. The highlight was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Cumbria on the way up. We were going to travel via Edinburgh for a White-rumped Sandpiper but as we crossed the border the rain started and we opted for the football instead, Saints won 2-1 in the pouring rain and being honest the week peaked here.
I tried for Surf Scoter in Largo Bay but the sea was that rough that it was nearly impossible to view but I did see a couple of Red-necked Grebe, and then fish and chips in the best fish and chip shop in Scotland (so they say)
After five days sitting around doing very little we travelled home on Thursday morning, the Sandhill Crane in Suffolk being a draw. A quick phone call to the Captain put us on standby if the bird was seen. It was and we were on our way, we were literally 30 miles from the site when we received news that the bird had flown off – high to the south. I had to stop in a layby for the Captains’ call of nature – it did cross my mind to drive off and leave him there, but I’m not that kind of person - but if it happens again! However, as a last throw of the dice we continued to Languard on the off chance we might pick up the bird as it drifted south – but no luck.
Depressed, but not surprised – I was with the famous “Captain Daylate” though in this case “Hourlate”. Since then I have been gardening maybe something I should have done on Friday as well.
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| Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Cumbria |
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