13/09/2017 A very productive visit to Heathrow Airport

Wednesday 13th September 2017

I never thought that when I agreed to pick up my granddaughter and her boyfriend from Heathrow I would be rewarded with 3 year ticks, including a "lifer".  Mind you the journey to Heathrow was somewhat circuitous, being 7 times longer than the direct return journey!

• First stop was Blashford Lakes in Hampshire to see the Grey Phalarope.  The bird was swimming on the far side of Ibsley Water.  The distance combined with choppy waters meant it took a while to locate.  In the excellent light, however, the scope views were super.  There was also a Black Tern flying around.

It was still quite early so I was faced with a real dilemma - should I stay here or go another 40 miles west to RSPB Lodmoor in Dorset to see the rare sandpipers that had turned up there.  A text from Katherine saying that their flight had been delayed 45 minutes clinched it and soon I was back on the road, heading west.

As I arrived the Southdown Road entrance I parked alongside a local birder who kindly agreed to show me the way around the site.  

• After a 10 minute walk, clockwise, he spotted the Least Sandpiper near several Black-tailed Godwits.  Also, close by was a Dunlin which was useful in making the ID, in terms of a good size comparison.  We were barely 50-75 metres from the bird enabling us to match the view with the pictures on the Collins app. It was moving along the edge of the water, feeding as it went.  Quite soon we were joined by other birders who were looking for the bird after it had gone walkabouts from another place on the reserve.

Least Sandpiper courtesy of Bri Thompson on Twitter 

This very rare vagrant normally breeds in North America, migrating south for the winter.

• After spending a lengthy period admiring this "lifer" it was time to continue our walk to find the Stilt Sandpiper.  10 minutes later, we found it and joined a host of other birders looking on.  It was with several Black-headed gulls and numerous Dunlin on the edge of the water.  The views were excellent.

Stilt Sandpiper courtesy of Bri Thompson on Twitter

I was tempted to push my luck even further and try for the Wryneck at nearby Portland Bill but decided against a journey through Weymouth town centre at rush hour.  I headed to Heathrow, calling off for a bite to eat at the service station and arriving in good time to meet Katherine and Dan.

Twitching at its very best - smart and oh so productive!