Titchwells sammy (1 Viewer)

Reader

Well-known member

• May 23, 2004

• #1

Sammy has caused me some frustrations this year. I had tried on five different occasions to see Titchwells favourite son but all to no avail. Seeing as I live in Warwickshire it's not a question of popping in that often to see him but yesterday I was passing Titchwell a bit late (it was nearly 8pm) on my way to my favourite Nightjar site near Sandringham. I didn't have a lot of time but thought I would just have a quick look to see if he could be found quickly on the freshmarsh area.

I sat down in the island hide and looked to towards the brackish water but couldn't find him anywhere. I turned to look at the small island just in front of the hide and there he was in all his glory.

The late evening light was very low making it extremely difficult to get a decent photo of him due to the glare on the white plumage but I have attached a few photos of him for you to look at.

Long may he live and bring pleasure to the masses of birders that seek him out.

 

Attachments

• 
  Black winged Stilt 1753.jpg

  124.7 KB · Views: 101
• 
  Black winged Stilt 1760.jpg

  173.7 KB · Views: 108
• 
  Black winged Stilt 1751.jpg

  102.6 KB · Views: 111
• 
  Black winged Stilt 1759.jpg

  144.6 KB · Views: 86
• 
  Black winged Stilt 1758.jpg

  153.5 KB · Views: 114

M

mountain man

Guest

• May 23, 2004

• #2

Hear Hear!

Who cares if he might not be wild? He's a stunning looking thing and a real crowd puller.

Long may he live (or keep running 'til his batteries run out!)

 

Adey Baker

Member

• May 23, 2004

• #3

Didn't he originally hop over the fence from a nearby 'collection' - or was that just a naughty rumour put about to try to explain why he doesn't migrate!

 

Adey Baker

Member

• May 23, 2004

• #4

Here he is back in about 1997:

 

Attachments

• 
  sammy.jpg

  34.8 KB · Views: 110

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• May 23, 2004

• #5

Pleased you finally got him this year Reader

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• May 23, 2004

• #6

Adey Baker said:

Didn't he originally hop over the fence from a nearby 'collection' - or was that just a naughty rumour put about to try to explain why he doesn't migrate!

Click to expand...

Just a naughty rumour - no evidence for it at all. He first turned up in Northumbs as an immature (1st summer), then moved down to Norfolk; Brit Birds report on rare birds 1993:

Michael

 

Attachments

• 
  BB93rpt-stilt.jpg

  129 KB · Views: 148

birdman

Орнитол&

• May 23, 2004

• #7

Well done at last, Reader...

I'm glad you've now had great views of Sammy... so I don't mind relating to you that I saw him first time without trying, in fact, before I even knew about him (about 6 years ago, I reckon).

Thought I was the bees knees seeing a Black-winged Stilt, till I walked ten yards further along the path to find he had his own plaque!

Still, he's a fine bird!

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• May 23, 2004

• #8

Michael Frankis said:

Just a naughty rumour

Click to expand...

And a very persistent one, unfortunately. Just like the pair of Kent Glossy Ibises - and the Bowling Green Marsh one, come to that. Everyone knows rare birds are supposed to fly away (preferably the night after you've seen it). Almost anything that stays will get accused of being an escape. Now, about that Snowy Egret...

 

Reader

Well-known member

• May 23, 2004

• #9

birdman said:

Well done at last, Reader...

I'm glad you've now had great views of Sammy... so I don't mind relating to you that I saw him first time without trying, in fact, before I even knew about him (about 6 years ago, I reckon).

Thought I was the bees knees seeing a Black-winged Stilt, till I walked ten yards further along the path to find he had his own plaque!

Still, he's a fine bird!

Click to expand...

Hi Birdman

I have lost count of the times I have seen Sammy over the years it's just that this year I was always at Titchwell when he decided not to show himself. Still, it's nice to get him as close as that when you do get to see him.

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• May 23, 2004

• #10

birdman said:

Thought I was the bees knees seeing a Black-winged Stilt, till I walked ten yards further along the path to find he had his own plaque!

Click to expand...

What, has he not been brushing his teeth properly?

Come to think of it, what teeth?

:king:

 

Geoff Pain

Rural Member

• May 23, 2004

• #11

Just got back from Norfolk,been down for the weekend,but no sign of Sammy.Still I did see him in February.