Phalarope the Grey

Blimey 2 posting in a single weekend, what has come over me? But this Sundays effort is a special one. Hearing earlier in the week that a Grey (or Red in some guides) Phalarope (139 for the year) was having a bit of a subjoin at Cheddar Reservoir, I popped down there early this morning to see if it was still entertaining the crowds from the shire.

Early morning mist didn't bode well for seeing this small wader, but it was picturesque enough as the sun tried to break through the mist. Anyhow I was faffing about with my digi-kit, trying to photograph some Black Headed Gulls, when this chap arrived at my left, mug of tea in hand and said,

"If you're looking for that rare bird, it's just outside the Yacht Club-House next to that boat. There are two chaps down there photographing it"

And so it was and so they were - blooming huge photo lenses, so I tried to hide my Heath Robinson digi-kit behind my rucksack and just did the best I could. And what a cracking little bird, didn't seem at all bothered by the small crowd watching it with more mugs of tea from the club house, not even when a dog splashed through. Or where they watching us twitchers thinking, what are they upto? Shut up BR, just let the photos do the talking (click to enlarge)

This is my digi-kit. slightly mad to set up but it'll do for lill' ole me. Follow the telescope to the waters edge and that pale bird is the Phalarope.

And what I saw through the lens.

this one refuses to rotate!!!

I like these two photos, as they show how small this Wader is against pied wagtails

But lets not forget in all the excitement, Cheddar is a nationally important overwintering site for Coot, 3-4,000 regularly come here. So to end this blog, birding and looking after wildlife is not just about the rare things, but also the common place....

........I wonder how many other birders who have come to Cheddar just to see the Grey Phalarope, even noticed the Coots?