Saturday 26 July 2014

Middleton Lakes - Pacific Golden Plover

What a scorcher and with news of a American / Pacific Golden Plover coming out in the Midlands, I was getting twitchy feet. Despite the venue being RSPB Middleton lakes and a mile + slog in the heat..... it had to be done!

Setting the scene from the causeway between the two viewing screens.....


Every twitch should have one!!!! No chance of this bird being pushed or flushed! There was a hair raising moment for one guy with a camera who foolishly rested it on the electric wire!! ouch!!!


The gallery with a big West Midlands turnout, I'm presuming this was a Staffs first?!


The electricity ensured no-one was going to get feather detail and as I'd not got the x 2 converter with me it was down to me struggling with the 1.4x. The digiscoping guys were having a field day!!


By the time I'd got there, the identity had been confirmed as Pacific Golden Plover and despite the distance, some acceptable record shots were forthcoming....



Long legs, white on the flanks and short primary projection all there.....


Two portraits to end with....




A planned trip to the Welbeck watchpoint, the following day, with Honey Buzzard performing on three occasions, including a flyover the road!  My camera was in the boot, given the size of the roadside gallery there :-( Never mind,   a double tick weekend, the yearlist still moving along nicely - now on 246 :-)