A visit down south

On Saturday morning, when I saw that there was a Long Billed Dowitcher, Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint all at Pennington Marshes in Hampshire, I was soon on the phone to my sister asking for a bed for the night.

It seemed to take ages to travel down to the South Coast but I was fortunate when I arrived as there was a car parking space in the small car park.  A swift walk to the sea wall and it soon became obvious where the Dowitcher was skulking (due to the number of birders peering down at it).

Long Billed Dowitcher and a Snipe

I then scanned the Dunlin flock and came upon the two Curlew Sandpipers straightaway.  The last bird I needed was the Little Stint and unfortunately despite an extensive search and a drive to Keyhaven and back, all I could find was Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers, Ringed Plovers, Black Tailed Godwits, Curlews, Ruff, Greenshank and loads of Dunlins.

This morning, my nephew fancied coming out with me and very kindly drove us down to the marshes so I could look for the Little Stint again.  The Dowitcher was putting on a good display and had attracted another Warwickshire birder, Dennis who I seem to bump into everywhere, except at home. Unfortunately, despite another search, I could still not find the Little Stint, so that species will just have to evade me this year for the time being (just like Whinchat).  Surprise sighting today was a Water Rail and a Weasel running between two reed beds (no wonder the Dunlin were flighty)

Long Billed Dowitcher