Saturday 5 May 2018

A Little Surprise on the Bank Holiday Weekend


News on Rare Bird Alert of a Squacco, re-identified as Little Bittern at Waren Mill had me pondering. Directions were vague, Bank Holiday Traffic and Hot, Hot weather were deterrents. Then finally some more positive news and directions meant the slug like afternoon avoiding crowds had to change. I joined the A1 and immediately regretted my decision. Crawling along it took an age, I nearly turned back, but knowing the road was dual carriage way soon I persevered. Suddeny the pace quickened and I reached Budle bay where IK gave me better directions


YES!
The first Little Bittern I've seen in Britain. Strangely enough I was talking to RF earlier in the day and he said: 'You know it's about time you had a Little Bittern at Chev'!


This stunning bird was never far from the viewing point (less than 10m) and gave a stunning show flying past the bridge to land close again.


The bird was found by Mandy. ( I think renting a holiday home. She photographed the bird the previous day and tried to get help with ID. Sadly she got some unwelcome abuse online. Fortunately some birders checked out the ID and got the news out.)



This bird certainly brightened my Bank Holiday.






Don't worry, it was just stalking some prey.

If it had been at Chev I don't think the views would have been so good. Thanks to all those, Mandy especially, who arranged access.

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