Ruff & Whinchat

A brisk southwesterly propelled me to the Nene Washes central drove in little more than an hour this morning. The Cranes still eluded me and, with Wood Sandpiper and Whinchat being reported from here yesterday, the were three potential ticks.

The waders were all on field 20 near the end of the drove but the water here is distant and there is a lot of vegetation so it is virtually impossible to see the birds. With a bit of patience I eventually managed to see at least 3 Greenshank and r4 Ruff, along with more numerous Lapwing, but no Wood Sand.

I set off back down the drove more hopeful of Whinchat with the sun now behind me. But the wind was now into my face, I was cold and becoming increasingly despondent. At this point I'd forgotten that Ruff was actually a year tick and thought this was yet another long ride without a result. Even seeing a Cuckoo half way back didn't cheer me too much.

Then I met fellow biking birder Steve Gann. We had a short chat and by now time was getting on and I needed to get going for work. Then he casually mentioned there was a Whinchat behind me on the fence. We went back a bit to get the light behind us and there were 4 of them! If I hadn't bumped into Steve I'd have ridden right past them. They were just getting up from wherever they had been hiding. Thanks Steve!

141 Ruff
142 Whinchat