01/06 2015 Greater Yellowlegs!

Monday 1st June 2015 
Titchfield Haven NR, Hampshire

Finally made the return trip to Titchfield Haven NR in Hampshire to see the Greater Yellowlegs.  Last time (in January) I narrowly missed the bird but this time I was more successful. 

After parking in the Bridge Street car park, I took the footpath south on Posbrook Flood by the canal to the southerly point on the water and looked for the bird at SU541046 as per Rare Bird Alert . 

• After a short period the Greater Yellowlegs showed well among the Black-tailed Godwits.  I then enjoyed uninterrupted views of this splendid species.

Greater Yellowlegs
Library picture

Greater Yellowlegs
Library picture

• The Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) is a large North American shorebird, similar in appearance to the smaller Lesser Yellowlegs. Its closest relative, however, is the Greenshank, which together with the Spotted Redshank form a close-knit group.

• They migrate to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States and south to South America. They are very rare vagrants to western Europe.

• These birds forage in shallow water, sometimes using their bills to stir up the water. They mainly eat insects and small fish, as well as crustaceans and marine worms.

Addition to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:
Greater Yellowlegs   (223)


Addition to BUBO UK Bird  Life List:
Greater Yellowlegs   (291)

I was really pleased and mightily relieved to finally see this rare bird.  A "lifer" too!