Out and about May 1st weekend
I keep meaning to write up what I saw last weekend - had several nice times out.
Out before 6 a.m. the 30th on campus, lots of birds out after the rain. Interested to see a few egrets fly overhead... I'd started to think that with all the new tall buildings being built around us that we were no longer on the flyway, but perhaps...
Of course, lots of warblers enjoying the wet but not rainy morning! Quite a few which looked like Pallas's and others, mostly not yet able to differentiate. However, most exciting was finding two Asian Stubtails - first time to find them myself! Dong Bei's pictures were a great help because the previous one I'd seen had been skulking on the ground, so that's where I expected to find them; but DB's pictures of them up in the trees helped me to be more open-minded. Interestingly, I think I saw two different ones, in mixed flock with other warblers, and both times they seemed quite aggressive with other species - flying at them. Don't know if it's common, but most of the warblers seem hungry and intent on eating and seem to ignore the others.
May 1 afternoon went out with a few students - so happy that some birds showed up in late afternoon at the sandflats. Still, relatively few waders. We saw a number of Penduline Tits - my first time to see so many so well. We also had excellent views of a Pheasant - which was nice for them. Lots of handsome Black Winged Stilts, and a Great Egret among the Littles were all nice for beginners to enjoy. I thought I saw a Yellow Wagtail among the Whites, but was not able to see face well enough to be sure if it was Yellow or Grey.
May 3 midday I tried to catch the high tide at the sandflats - ages since I saw much water there, but though there was more, it was not really flooded and there were not a lot of waders - I've not got my timing down yet. I was pleased to get to watch a small flock of Whimbrels (8) which were joined by a curlew (probably Eurasian on coloring, but with such a long bill!) It was nice that they were close enough to enjoy without scope, and interesting to see how the Curlew wasn't always close with them, but did "catch up" when the Whimbrels got too far down the beach. Very nice to see them together - and first sighting of either yet this season. (Solo goose on the beach too - but looking straight into the sun so no chance to figure it out.)
Also saw lovely flock of Stonechats - got to see males, females and second year birds (or just not finished moulting birds?). I had one mystery wader, solo but near enough to some little ringed plovers to compare size. Just a bit bigger, but what a long bill! Looking into the sun and didn't see much more, so will remain a mystery I guess.
Anyway, nice to get a bit of a chance to see some of what's flying through.
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