Needs Ore Point

09/09/06 - Today we decided to stay local and wait for something to turn up, a shame that the Long-tailed Skua was found too late in the day. But a trip to Needs Ore Point (permit only) provided some interest as Osprey and Spoonbill had recently been seen. Unfortunately neither could be found after intense searching. At least 2 Water Rails showed well today (a juvenile and an adult) with a singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 Ravens were present. Grounded migrants included 2 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, Whitethroat, and Sedge and Reed Warblers could be seen in the reeds. Overhead there was 3 yellow Wagtails and Hirundines were plentiful. 11 Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, 3 Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were the highlights from the hides as was a Black-tailed godwit that was extremely tame allowing Lee and I to get within 2 feet of it. We could have touched it, it was so close (honestly). All seen from the James Vennar Hide. Wildfowl numbers were high with hundreds of Teal with few Wigeon and the occasional Pintail and Gadwall.

(c) Ashley Howe