2000 miles up, and 2 new ones. 191 species in total

A hot pager bleep at Sunday lunchtime had me flinging on the hot weather kit, and heading off for the coast. A record run to Farlington (1.5 hours) and the juvenile WILSON'S PHALAROPE was still showing very well on the main lagoon to the assembled crowd.


Photo by Nic Hallam


Photo by Richard Ford

Worth just as many 'points', but of course much less difficult, a Yellow Wagtail called in flight overhead, shortly followed by three seen distantly over the fields. Add in lots of waders (although none of the reported Curlew Sands, alas) and a bonus (but very brief) Spotted Crake, and this was a pretty good day out! Also a distant Whinchat - inevitably after having gone for one in the week.... I saved my legs and didn't walk round the reserve to try for the Garganey and Osprey that were also present - ah! the luxury of having done the work earlier in the year!

The mileage count went over two grand today - 138 hours (or 5.75 DAYS!) in the saddle, at 17 kilometres/species, just to mix up the units of measurement completely....