Two more lifers on the marsh  

I dragged myself downstairs ,it was 6.30am ,so I got all my gear together along with the new camo hide I had just made a couple of weeks before. I thought  I would try it out down the marsh to see if it actually worked.

 As I approached the bridge on the marsh I could see what looked like a flock of Little stint feeding with some Wood sandpipers,but when I got my scope set-up I could see that 4 of these stint looked quite different in their summer -plumage and was really suprised to see that they were Temmincks stint which are quite uncommon around this area and the first ones I had ever seen.

 Temmincks stint 

I managed some decent shots and moved further along the track and could'nt believe it when I saw 3 Collared pratincoles feeding of the track -side.This was just great because these birds usually only migrate further to the west of Turkey.Again I managed to reverse the car into a position where I could get some decent shots.

  Collared pratincole 

I then decided to walk to the other side of the marsh to set up my hide as I could see quite a few waders feeding in the reeds.I got setup and as I waited for them to return ,some movement caught my eye off to the left of me in the mud.This was the first Spur winged plover I had  ever seen since moving here in 2005.

The sun was shining straight at me by now so the shots I managed to take are not that good ,but I shall be back tomorrow to see if I can do any better.

  Spur winged plover

By this time I was gagging for a cuppa so I made my way back to the car,but what a great morning out on the marsh seeing 2 more lifers and Yes ~my hide did work!!!

This retirement lark is turning out to be a full time job ~ but great fun !!!!!