Early Sand Martin

I arrived back at Barn Elms WWT today to the news that the Stone Curlew had not been relocated. It rained overnight and most of today so I was hoping that it would stay put. Not a day for photography (thick, overcast skies) and after spending time looking for yesterday’s early birthday present, I sat in the WWF hide for about four hours hoping the Bittern would pass right in front! No such luck, but it remained further along in the reedbed, hidden most of the time, occasionally raising it’s head and catching perch. One lonely Sand Martin hawked over the main lake and wader scrape all afternoon – this was the migrant species I was hoping for yesterday and in fact this is my earliest record. Also noted while waiting for some stellaris action: Yellow-legged Gull (2), Great Black-backed Gull (pr), Egyptian Goose (2), displaying Great Crested Grebes, Pintail (pr) and Water Rails squealling.

Stone Curlew, London Wetland Centre WWT

Today I was concentrating on getting more Dabchick shots. Their fantastic calls are echoing all over the wetlands at the moment and the Water Rails seem to be competing with them. Late in the afternoon the sun was particularly good, casting a warm, early spring light on the reedbeds. As I was leaving the ‘Wildside’ area, watching various duck species fly in, I had my most bizzare experience ever on the reserve, as I witnessed a Stone Curlew cruise past, almost at eye level! Shaking with excitement I ran ahead to the Headley Hide overlooking the main lake where the bird had appeared to drop down, perhaps on one of the islands. It was almost five o’clock and everyone had left! Scanning with my bins (my scope is still in Scotland at the moment) I failed to relocate it so I hurried to the visitor centre to alert the warden. Only the shop staff were around and they didn’t really appreciate the significance of Stone Curlew just a few miles from central London. They said “just write it in the log book”. The next surprise was the last entry in the log book… Stone Curlew, Dulverton Hide, 1650h. So, it had gone across the lake and one late and lucky observer (signature not legible) had picked it up too! I’ll be back tomorrow morning…