With a potential first for
Britain in the form of an Acadian Flycatcher at Dungeness last week sadly out
of reach due to work commitments, me and Alex decided to make up for the loss
by travelling to Essex for the reliable Wilson’s Phalarope that had settled at
Vange Marsh RSPB.
Being a little further away
than we would normally travel for anything outside of mega status, we were glad
for the change of scene and being a species we were both still in need of, Alex
drove us both down to the south east, having only been to Essex one before for
the Serins back in March. Arriving nearly 4 hours later, we made the short treck
under the A13 and over the railway line, before following the trail through the
meadows to view the water.
A marauding Marsh Harrier
flushing all the birds as soon as we arrived was a little concerning (4 hours
for nothing?!), but Alex soon expertly picked the Wilson’s up in flight and thankfully
tracked it through the scope until it landed.
A (very) record shot of the Wilson's Phal |
Present on the flash now for
over a week, despite the distance (a factor that had been putting me off) we
still got good scope views of this American Phalarope as it fed and span around
in the water, dainty in comparison to the nearby Ruffs and Redshank, but still
evidently larger than our more familiar Grey or Red-necked Phalaropes.
It could be anything.... it is a Wilson's Phalarope.... honest! |
With a much greyer head
lacking a distinct mask, as well as an elongated slender neck and long needle
fine pointed bill, we could still pick up the subtle key features even at a
distance, Alex even observing the yellow legs in flight. Now advancing in to
winter plumage, there was still just the faint hint of colour visible along the
neck.
Whilst not as close as
previous birds in recent times in terms of both views and distance travelled, and
nowhere near as spectacular as the gorgeous female summer plumaged stunner on
the Isle of Wight a couple of years ago, it was still great to see what is an
almost annual rarity to the British Isles and a species I have been hoping to
catch up with after deciding the Cleveland bird back in 2011 was a touch too
far (despite probably being an hour less than what we travelled last weekend!)
With a fine supporting cast of
waders including Spotted Redshank, Ruff, a Little Stint and both a Green and
Wood Sandpiper, it is a shame that the water is so far away for viewing – a small
bridge and hide provided by the RSPB could really open up the potential for
this clear wader magnet, perhaps even allowing the UK’s next Red-necked or
Long-toed Stint to be unearthed….
To visit: Park at end of
Chestnut Road (TQ733876, SS16 4XJ), walk under the A13 and over the railway
crossing, then walk right along the meadow path and left to view the water.
View of the flash - very distant! |
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