Old Hall Marshes 11th May

Waders seem to like particular places at particular times. Possibly a combination of local water levels and also the invertebrate supply,  but when a particular place is hot, it is hot, seemingly for all waders. Then there's the birder multiplier effect; the more birders go to a place, the more is seen. The more the information is passed onto other birders. 

The Bale Field on Old Hall Marshes is that spot at the moment.  Mike, David and myself were in complete agreement where to go. And so on Monday 11th we found ourselves once again on the sea wall overlooking a field with numerous well-filled ditches and pools with beautiful muddy margins.

We had to have the male Garganey pointed out to us, which was bizarre as once seen it was obvious; great close views of a male which was subsequently to fly to a distant corner. As we walked to the far corner we had three spectacular male Ruffs, all giving great scope views, a couple of close-up Wood Sandpipers, a lone Bar-Tailed Godwit was joined by a flock of 35 Black-Tailed Godwits, a Bearded Tit was actually seen rather than just heard, and then just a mass of downy young waders with noisy parents in close attendance, Little Ringed Plovers amongst them and Marsh Harriers overhead. 6 Dark-Bellied Brent Geese were still present.

On returning we could see a line of birders on the wall looking both ways. That meant either lots to see or nothing. As we joined them it turned out to be lots; The American Golden Plover was showing well in the breach to the north, now a full jet-black underside of summer plumage, and on Bale Field a Temminck's Stint showed reasonably well in its typical elusive manner. We had to be showed this, and as we departed we met a fellow departing birder who when we told him about the Temminck's rolled his eyes and turned round to see if he could get it. We gave him directions (opposite the dead gull round the bottom of the juncus) so here's hoping he got it.

A Whimbrel and a couple of calling Cuckoos completed our trip. Needless to say we were very happy with our list; not just the species but the views too.

As of today, birds seen that have been present but not at the time of our visits include Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper. We will probably connect with most of those in the Autumn but to see those birds in summer plumage is something. I'm not available to do this area for a week so I'm hoping the conditions and the birds can hold on for a repeat visit!