Another birdwatching stint at Peterstone Gout

 

Little Stint

Saturday morning marked a welcome change to my weekend birding exploits. I had company from my much missed photography and birding pal Paul Joy. He has had to take some time out in recent months due a number of issues involving his own and his wife's health. I will take this opportunity to give a big shout out to Jan and wish her well. I have been told she has enjoyed reading my blog and laughs at the exploits of the Jones and Joy birding  double act. I wish you a speedy recovery.

So after a customary Bacon roll and coffee at Greggs Paul and I arrived at our birding destination for the morning - Peterstone Gout.

When we set out at stupid o'clock the skies has been cloudy but as we walked down the path from Peterstone Golf course towards the Gout we were greeted by glorious sunshine.

Nothing quite shone as much though as the smile on Pauls face. I could tell he was glad to get out to do some birding and of course blow the dust of his trusty Canon camera.

Mr Joy

It was my second morning at Peterstone and I must admit if I had not eaten breakfast and had the caffeine boost from a flat white I would have been struggling to stay awake. But once I saw that orange glow and the sunrise my energy levels were given a big boost.


Up came the sun over the horizon and bathed the world with its orange glow. I wanted to give Paul some well needed bird therapy so we headed for the wader roost. The tide was rising quickly and the waders would be gathering.



We set up our gear and leaned against the seawall next to the coastal path. Small flocks of Dunlins and Ringed Plovers darted in and landed on the rocks and pebbles below the wall.

They were silhouetted against the strong sunlight from the rising sun . There was a lot of Dunlins and in amongst them ringed Plovers. I spotted a solitary Turnstone that really stood out with its stocky build and chisel shaped beak.

It was a matter now of being patient and waiting for the light to get better. The clouds had moved in and in some respects acted like a shade against the harsh light of the sun softening it making for better views of the wader flock.

Suddenly Paul called me over to him whispering excitedly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his eyes or his birding skills - he had spotted a Little Stint in amongst the wader roost. This is no easy feat as it can make your eyes hurt trying to find this tiny wader that likes to roost in with its Dunlin cousins that looks very similar.

I was really chuffed that Paul had found it and I am sure it gave him a boost.


The Little Stint ( Calidris minuta) is one of the smallest waders. I have never seen this species close up so at Peterstone this was fantastic.  In the past I have observed Little Stints at Goldcliff Lagoons and they usually stand out a little by being constantly on the go fidgeting and feeling amongst a Dunlin flock.


The Little Stint was hard to spot.

When the Little Stint was resting it was incredibly difficulty to pick out if you turned away for a minute as it would just blend in with the Dunlins.


Little Stints do not breed in the Uk and Ireland. They breed in the high Arctic and then make their way South to winter. They are long distance migrants and make remarkable journeys to their wintering sites in Southern Africa, Ethopia, Sudan , Somalia and Kenya. Its incredible to think that a Little Stint that weighs no more than 21 grams can make a journey of 12000 km.

So this little wader was very likely taking a well deserved break within the safety of the Dunlin flock whilst enroute to Southern Africa.



Watching the Little Stint was a real privilege and I enjoyed sharing the moment with my friend Paul. 

It was good to know that the luck we have shared over the years for finding birds had not run out.







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