Knot again- more visits to Newton Point

Newton Point at Trecco Bay, Porthcawl, has become one of my favourite places to sit and watch waders.

There is something about this little rocky promontory that keeps drawing me back. Perhaps it is the combination of sea, rocks, sandy beach and, of course, the opportunity to get some lovely close views of waders when the tide pushes them towards their high-tide roost.

During September I managed two visits to Newton Point, although they were very different affairs.

An Early Start and a Lesson in Patience

My first visit was a very early one, arriving around dawn while Trecco Bay was still relatively quiet.

Sanderling at the shoreline on Trecco Beach.

I had come with photography very much in mind and quickly located a mixed flock of waders feeding and resting along the shoreline. Amongst them were Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, Sanderlings and Dunlin , exactly the sort of little wader gathering I love photographing.

Rather than simply walking straight towards them, I began the much slower process of trying to get into a good position without disturbing them.

Fieldcraft is really important when photographing waders. These birds need to feed and rest, particularly during migration, and there is little satisfaction in getting a photograph if the method used to obtain it sends the bird flying.

So began a rather slow-motion expedition across the beach.

Turnstones have incredible camouflage and when on the shingle they can become almost invisible.

I would move a little closer, stop, sit quietly and allow the birds to become comfortable with my presence. Then, after another long wait, I would move a little further.

There is certainly nothing glamorous about wildlife photography at times. From a distance I probably looked less like a wildlife photographer and more like someone who had misplaced something very important amongst the rocks.

It took me almost two hours to gradually get into position.

The plan was working perfectly.

Turnstones gather to roost.

The incoming tide was slowly reducing the amount of exposed shoreline and, rather than me moving closer to the birds, the sea was gradually encouraging the birds towards me.

That is exactly how I like it.

Once the birds have accepted your presence, they very often begin behaving completely naturally. Turnstones rummage amongst the rocks, Dunlin probe for food, Ringed Plovers scamper about and Sanderlings perform their usual impression of tiny clockwork toys running along the water's edge.

Then, inevitably, along came a dog walker. Despite me asking the dog walker to avoid walking closer to the flock and walk around me it fell on deaf ears.

The birds took flight.

Turnstones take flight

Two hours of carefully creeping, waiting and trying not to disturb them was undone in a few seconds.

Frustrating? Yes.

Surprising? Sadly, no.

Retreat to Newton Point

There was, however, a silver lining.

Instead of returning to the beach, the flock flew from the beach to the the rocky edge of Newton Point close to the water's edge, where they settled well away from the dogs.

I followed at a respectful distance and eventually found myself sitting amongst the rocks watching the flock at remarkably close range.

The difference was immediately noticeable.

Sanderlings

Away from people walking along the beach, the waders became very settled. I was able to sit quietly nearby and watch them preening and resting without causing any obvious disturbance.

This is one of the things I really enjoy about Newton Point. If you find the right position, stay still and allow the birds to decide how comfortable they are with you, they can be remarkably accommodating.

As I scanned through the flock, one slightly larger bird caught my attention.

A Knot.

There was just a single bird amongst the smaller waders, but it immediately stood out once I picked it up. Knot are always a lovely bird to see and finding one tucked amongst the Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, Dunlin and Sanderlings made the morning even better.

Knot

The waders were not entirely alone either.

Pied Wagtails were constantly darting around the rocks, while Meadow Pipits and Rock Pipits also joined the activity around the point.

It had become one of those wonderfully busy little coastal scenes where, the longer you sit still, the more you begin to notice.

Rock Pipit

A Return Visit

Later in September I returned to Newton Point, this time with my mother.

It was a rather different visit. We arrived later in the morning and I only had a few minutes to spend watching the wader roost.

Common Ringed Plover

Fortunately, the birds were already gathered on Newton Point.

This time the composition of the flock had changed considerably.

Oystercatchers dominated the roost, their bold black-and-white plumage and bright orange bills making them impossible to miss amongst the rocks.

Oystercatchers

There were also plenty of Turnstones and a few Sanderlings scattered amongst them.

And then I noticed a familiar face.

The Knot was still there.

Whether it was exactly the same individual I had seen during my earlier visit I obviously cannot say with certainty, but given that it was once again a solitary bird amongst the Newton Point wader flock, I would like to think there was a good chance it was.

It was nice to see it again.

The Knot again.

One of My Favourite Wader Spots

I really do love Newton Point.

It is one of my favourite places to simply find a comfortable rock, sit down with the camera and watch waders.

There will always be frustrations at busy coastal locations. Dogs running through roosting flocks remain one of my particular bugbears, especially when there is plenty of space for wildlife and people to coexist with just a little consideration.

But I try not to let that spoil the experience.

Sanderling

The sight of Sanderlings racing along the shoreline, Turnstones scrambling amongst the rocks, Ringed Plovers almost disappearing against the shingle and a solitary Knot quietly tucked into the flock more than compensates for the occasional annoyance.

And perhaps that is why I keep coming back.

Newton Point gives me something I really enjoy , the opportunity to slow down, use a bit of fieldcraft, sit quietly with the camera and allow the birds to come to me.

When it works, there are few better ways to spend a September morning.