July Dunlin

I had only been in Ron's Hide for about 5 minutes when Brian called 'wader on the shingle island' quickly and easily identifiable as a nice summer plumage bird, keeping company with an LRP. 2 More LRP were on the East bank and the Dunlin and his/her friend kept bombing back and forth around the lake, allowing just a couple of record shot opportunities;

There have been 6 other July Dunlin, three of these in the last 10 years, 24th 2012, 6th 2010, 26th & 27th 2004, then all the way back to 20th 1989, 31st 1988, 15th 1983 & 21st 1981.

This was 87th species for July. Nightingale, Willow Warbler and Ring-necked Parakeet are no doubt present but unreported so far, plus we should very much expect a Green Sandpiper any day too, hopefully putting us on a new July highest count of at least 91, but also hoping for more waders, an early Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, or Black Tern.

Also present at LFGP today was 1 Teal, 1 Shoveler, lots of Herring and LBB Gulls, many BH Gull and Common Tern chicks.