Spring Tickathon

Spring was in urgent need of a reboot. My efforts at trying to find my own ticks was turning into a predictable fiasco. Desperate time needed desperate measures so I went twitching. Fortunately this coincided with a wave of excellent migrants.

First up was a Hoopoe on 30th April. I am suspicious of spring Hoopoe records as for a colourful bird they can become very difficult to see, preferring private lawns and sitting in the middle of thickets, but fortunately one was pinned down between Hunsdon and Roydon on a decent size lawn of freshly mown grass, so I joined a line of other retired old blokes and ticked off this excellent local record. Thanks to Laurence for getting the news out to us. I did a dash locally and after a couple of blanks managed to get two of the local Wood Sandpiper influx at Amwell, with plentiful Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover to match. 

Then a trip to Rainham RSPB with David on 2nd May. We not only got good but distant views of the two Black-Winged Stilts but also with considerable help from other birders got very decent views of the Ring Ouzel sat quietly in a bush. As could be expected at this time of year we had a few other birds too; 3 Hobbies, Ruff, another Wood Sandpiper, a decent view of flying Cuckoo, and we got nice views of Green Hairstreak too. 

4th May saw Mike and David and myself at Old Hall Marshes for the American Golden Plover. This was bank holiday Monday so lots of Essex birders turned up. Surely the biggest assembly of Essex birders since the Thurrock Ross's Gull the previous day! The AGP co-operated by sleeping and occasionally lifting up its head. A splendid sight. We got a few repeat records with excellent Ruff, Cuckoo, but also had Whimbrel and some nice Grey Plovers in the estuary. 

Finally on 10th May I gave in to the temptation of nearby Dotterel and popped into Gamlingay, just an hour a few miles away. They were fine. It was a bit wind-swept and heat hazy, there wasn't a lot else, but another decent bird hits the list. 

A great few days and dignity restored to my year list! Now for some proper birding...