Underthehood with Killy Birder

28^th Dec. No, no, no, I haven’t suddenly given up birding and began a new interest in the mechanical workings of American cars. I wouldn’t know one end from the other of one of those. Cars I mean! I do know one end of a bird from the other, on a good day I do anyway. No, the post title only reflects that Underthehood Sam recently participated in an RSPB walk and we afterwards promised one another that we would meet up to take a closer look at waders. Today was the day. Sam had checked the weather forecast and it was a good one. I think he checked it before the warning was made about strong winds.:-) To be fair I’d checked it too! I can vouch for the fact that the wind was strong and whilst crossing St Mary’s Island causeway I had thoughts that I might see myself playing Quidditch along with Harry Potter and his Hogwarts gang. Well ok so I haven’t been reading classical literature (it may be one day) over the holidays. Good stuff though, and I’ve got the boxed set so you may hear more from the wizard in 2012! You never know it could bring a whole new style to my blog!

Wind or no wind, waders it was going to be! Off to a good start at Seaton Sluice with at least ninety Knot present along with Oystercatchers, Redshank and Turnstone. I couldn’t find any Purple Sandpipers, but the rocking of the telescope didn’t help matters. Eider Ducks seen on a rough sea, but little else. In my case too much Christmas pudding ensured lunch was a quick one before setting off towards St Mary’s Island. The wind was getting stronger.

A Kestrel was seen near the cliff edge, as at one point it struggled to hover in the wind and seemed to give up. Everything else appeared to be keeping a low profile. The winds did ensure that we saw few people about.

I wondered why people seemed to be struggling on the causeway to the island. I soon found out when we got on there! At times it was difficult to keep grounded. Sam seemed to be having a problem keeping his camera steady and stabilised lenses weren’t made to be stable in such conditions I guess. Not to worry, and we didn’t, we did eventually have good sightings of Oystercatchers, Knot, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Sanderling (in large numbers), Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew. There weren’t many opportunities for close up photography. Sorry Sam we didn’t get as close as I had hoped, but there will be another time. However a few Turnstones did eventually oblige and I believe a few other shots were taken. Hoping to see them on Sam’s blog. As we departed the winds were getting even stronger.

Despite the winds it was a very good day. Thanks Sam, I enjoyed your company.

I’m now off to finish the last chapter before I begin The Chamber of Secrets. This lot should fill in a few hours until the lighter nights, and yes I’m going to watch the DVDs too! I’m certainly hoping Hagrid continues to be part of all this as he seems a down to Earth chap to me.

Nearly forgot the single Barnacle Goose spotted by Sam at Seaton Sluice.