The Rain Did Not Stop Play

 The forecast today did not look too promising with heavy rain predicted to last through much of the morning. Faced with this less than enticing prospect Alan Shorrock and I decided to visit Summer Leys where the hides would at least provide shelter from the expected deluge. It was one of those times when the weather guessers hit the jackpot though the rain did not put the dampeners on the birding which turned out to be pretty decent.

GWE and Highland coo

We began in Paul Britten Hide from where a Great White Egret was the most obvious bird on the scrape, there were two more on the main lake. I picked out three Garganeys which though nowhere near as obvious as the egrets were much more interesting. I struggle to get too enthusiastic with eclipse ducks but make an honourable exception for Garganeys, I believe it was two adults and a juvenile but couldn't say for sure. Three Snipe and a Green Sandpiper also showed from the hide and I continued my bird finding exploits by picking out a Turnstone and Greenshank in Wader Bay on the main lake. Deciding that we might get a better view of the waders from Rotary Hide we made our way round there despite the continuing rain.

Turnstones

From Rotary Hide not one but four Turnstones were showing and although far from close they did provide better views than we had got from the double decker hide. While the Greenshank had gone the bay lived up to its name with Common and Green Sands, a Snipe, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers joining the quartet of Turnstones. A short stroll took us to Pioneer Hide from where the three Garganeys gave better views. Presumably the same Greenshank then appeared for a brief time on the scrape again providing better views than earlier.

Garganeys

We ended our visit by attempting to find the Wood Sandpiper that has been present on the reserve for a couple of days. Sadly we were unable to find the sandpiper but a little bit later  on we had no such trouble finding some good beer in the Coach and Horses in Wellingborough!

The Green party, shank and sandpiper.