Wednesday 2nd September 2020
near Ditchling Beacon, Sussex
After cancelling yet another Norfolk Tour, I was pleased to read on RBA of 3 dotterel in Sussex, just down the road near Ditchling Beacon. Dotterel is a species that is very rare for me, having last seen one on a trip to Danby Beacon in Yorkshire with the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group in 2016.
courtesy of Lee Evans and Twitter
- I arrived around 3 pm to find that the birds had moved and temporarily "lost". After looking down the east side of the stony field I returned to the original site where the birds were showing once again.
- One was showing prominently just below the horizon, sitting peacefully - enjoying a rest after their earlier activity - which, unfortunately happened before I arrived.
- Initially this bird was the centre of the discussion until someone with a better angle spotted the second bird immediately behind.
- Soon after the third bird was located only a few metres away but once more, stationary.
By now there were too many birders arriving so I decided to leave and go back into lockdown - alas missing out on seeing these lovely birds moving around.
A first for me in Sussex and my 200th bird of the year!
In this covid-tarnished year it's a landmark I didn't expect to reach!
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