A FEW HOURS AT FARMOOR RESERVOIR

I spent a pleasant few hours at Farmoor Reservoir today, my main purpose being to see a little stint that has been reported recently. Although I regularly have them on my year list, Farmoor reservoir can provide an opportunity to see these tiny waders at very close quarters. 

The first bird I noticed along the causeway was actually a juvenile common tern, its plumage being much colourful than that of the adults.  It was sitting near the shore line and after a short while flew off, only to be replaced minutes later by the arrival of two waders - the little stint and a juvenile little ringed plover! I watched them both,  the little ringed plover mostly by the water whilst the little stint preferred running along the mossy edge higher up. The little stint was well camouflaged against the  dry vegetation and when standing still was hard to spot. At such close quarters I could appreciate just how small the little stint actually is, the distinguishing V pattern on its back  showing well.

I continued my walk along the causeway, noting a yellow legged gull for my year list, then walked down to the nature reserves which lie along the River Thames. From the PInkhill hide there were  a dozen little egrets, two common sandpipers, and an occasional sighting of a swimming grass snake. 

                                                     juvenile common tern

common sandpiper

little egrets

juvenile little ringed plover

little stint