21 species of wader and a patch tick!

Worked the patch hard today for a total of 21 species of wader, nothing unusual amongst the haul but it was a good day. This barwit was almost eating out of my hand...

Nipped out early for a go at Torekov and Gröthögarna in the hope of a few waders and had a nice little session. En route a sparrowhawk crossed the road at Dagshög, one of three seen today. As I approached Påarps Mal a bank of fog rushed to meet me and I spent the first fifteen minutes listening to waders. Spotted redshank (1, 1K) and greenshank (3) were very vocal. Slowly the fog parted and I could look around, and discover that there was not actually that much about. The best bird was the 1K spotted redshank but also found; ringed plover (7), golden plover (11), snipe (4), green sandpiper (3) and common sandpiper (4). As I turned to leave a grey plover called and I managed to pick it up as it flew past south (patch year-tick at last).

Påarps Mal may be good for roosting shags and golden plover but I always think that the rev is more of a magnet for waders and so it proved this morning, with the following spotted; ringed plover (40), grey plover (1), dunlin (18), ruff (3), bar-tailed godwit (5, another patch year-tick), whimbrel (1), curlew (1), spotted redshank (1, 1K), redshank (8), greenshank (2) and common sandpiper (24). A trawl of the woods produced very little, just two marsh tits of note.

Last stop before heading home to pick up the team was a quick look at Norra Ängalag.On arrival two peregrines were dog-fighting offshore, an exhilarating display of their prowess in the air. Also here two marsh harriers drifting north (?), another grey plover and bar-tailed godwit and a little tern (which may prove to be my last of the year).

The team were raring to go, picnic at the ready and so off we went. We lunched at Ranarpsstrand and this proved to be a great move. Within ten minutes I was watching my first patch garganey, a female (high on the most-wanted list and a great moment). Also here as we tuckd in to our lunch were; goosander (3), golden plover (1), dunlin (1), snipe (1), redshank (1), greenshank (2), green sandpiper (1), wood sandpiper (8) and common sandpiper (4). Moving on to the beach at Stora Hultstrand, I checked out the seaweed pool briefly. It has been looking good and the birds obviously like it; more waders here with little ringed plover (1), curlew sandpiper (adult) and four Temminck's stints being new for the day and taking the total of waders spotted to 21. Nice one!