#grey plover

[great-and-small]

Stunning male black-bellied plover in breeding plumage

[blogbirdfeather]

Grey Plover - Tarambola-cinzenta (Pluvialis squatarola)

Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal (5/05/2026)

[Nikon D850; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR with Nikon AF-S TC-17E II]

[run-bird-run]

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

© Simon Villeneuve

[admiralgiggles]

[bens-birds]

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Lacken Strand, Co. Mayo, Ireland - 05-04-2025

[birdblues]

Black-bellied Plover

[dansnaturepictures]

15/01/23-Sabine’s Gull and more at South Moor

We came here today to look for the Sabine’s Gull which has been around which I was hoping would stay for this weekend, it had been seen today and as we arrived in a shower I was thrilled to pick it out on the water in the lagoon. It then flew to some mud in the lagoon in front of a large bit of dark vegetation which I couldn’t quite tell what it was, it seemed to have seaweed mixed in it. It was settled for a long time here, did fly and land a bit further along and stood for a bit before returning to the original spot. I was overjoyed to spend an hour maybe more watching this epic bird. It’s so beautiful with its striking brown head and shiny yellow on the bill and neat grey wings. A dinky delight of a bird, a dazzling and beautifully marked gull. It was so amazing and breathtaking to see. Towards the end of our time here it flew, parading right over our head allowing astonishing and intimate views, such a precious moment. It’s not often with rare birds you get such good views of it both stationary and in fight so this was a great balance in some fantastic views of this bird. I took the first, fourth, fifth and ninth pictures in this photoset of this bird today.

Just under a month after we got our last life tick (the American Wigeon at Pennington four weeks ago today in fact) this is the first Sabine’s Gull we have ever seen. I had hoped to see one of these for a while now, and it feels so good to. My 283rd bird in my life and 119th species seen this year. I feel euphoric to have seen a new bird so early in a year again and it’s always good to get a new bird under the belt early in a year to give the year something that none of my others have had.

There were a key trio of other great birds seen here this afternoon with a smart looking Greenshank seen nicely, almost a Kestrel hovering against a rainbow I was an inch or so away from that but it was nice to see this bird all the same and a fair few Rock Pipits. These cheery dainty birds flying around in a group bigger than I’ve seen before I think, I am thrilled to be on one of my best ever runs for them seeing so many at different places either side of the change in year. I took the tenth and final pictures in this photoset of Wigeon which were nice to see today too.

As sun took over well after the shower that rainbow which I took the third picture in this photoset of added nicely to an afternoon of breathtaking landscape with the salt marsh, views into the vast Langstone Harbour, great views of the Hayling Island bridge and oysterbeds and over to Portsmouth with the Spinnaker Tower looking nice and ivy overhanging a channel of water beautifully at the start. It was good to see the sun heading down creating some stunning orange sky scenes in a good afternoon and day again of interesting sky scenes. I took the second, sixth, seventh and eighth pictures in this photoset of views here today. We’d never properly been to this spot before near to Hayling Island oysterbeds which we know so well and we left with a very good impression of this great wild spot that has a bit of a nature reserve.

On the way here I enjoyed briefly seeing winter heliotrope nearby on a verge my flower of the week with the ones I’ve seen at Lakeside. At home today Magpie, Jackdaw, Goldfinch and Starling were good to see as well as nice sunny scenes and the moon nestled into a nice cloud scene this morning. A fantastic and memorable weekend for a few reasons for me, I hope you all have a good week.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first ever Sabine’s Gull, great views of Brent Geese, Great Crested Grebe and Little Egret, Little Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Greenshank, Redshank, dashing Grey Plover which was another highlight, Dunlin, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, possible Lapwing flying, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Moorhen, lovely Linnets flying across, Rock Pipit, possible Meadow Pipit too, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow. I heard Robin.

[higejiiotherareas]

ダイゼン　2019.09.26