A happy Pratincole experience

6th June 2009

Following a couple of misses with the Collared Pratincole a few weeks ago, better luck this time, with good views of the Black-winged Pratincole. I was in no way confident of seeing it, giving the tendency or NN Coast Pratincoles to go on little excursions, and the still-galling knowledge that the Collared Pratincole probably flew past me whilst searching the marshes between Salthouse & Kelling.

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Me & Adam got the train and bus to Thornham, with Gary informing us that the Pratincole had been seen at Thornham 20 minutes ago. We still had a long walk up the hill to reach the corner of the field near the reservior. A number of birders were very helpful, a woman allowing me to get my first glimpses of its head through her 'scope, and two guys around the corner both letting me have a look whilst I set up my telescope. The Black-winged Pratincole finally played ball, getting up and wandering around in front of a small shed, a great reference point in a field of many earthy lumps. After a while it became obvious that the only flight views we were likely to get were of its arse as it flew to Titchwell, so we walked back, completing a loop back to Thornham.

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In the afternoon we managed to get a lift to Potter Heigham to have a scan around the back of Hickling. Rush Hills held 50+ Ringed Plover and a similar amount of Black-tailed Godwits. Adam saw a Curlew Sand, but it wasn't there when I scanned round. A few butterflies and damselflies were around, including the first Peacock and Tiger Moth caterpillars of the year. Chips at Potter bridge, and then home.

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Year list 206 species