Birdwatching in Emsworth
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SELECTED SPOTTED REDSHANK SIGHTINGS
FOR WINTER 2017-18
in reverse chronological order

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TUESDAY MARCH 20 - 2018
The tide was still well out at Nore Barn, but the ever faithful Spotted Redshank was present in the low water stream, feeding along with a couple of Black-headed Gulls. It must be getting very close to its departure time, the latest date recorded was 27-Mar-13, but that was exceptional. I took some photos and a video clip, just in case it was the last time. IT WAS!

Short video clip of the Spotted Redshank . . . https://youtu.be/s45rQr5KPIw


MONDAY MARCH 5 - 2018
The tide was rising at Nore Barn with the stream filling up. The regular Spotted Redshank was feeding in the upper reaches of the stream along with its companion the colour-ringed Greenshank G+GL. There were signs from some of my photos that the Spotted Redshank is undergoing its annual pre-nuptial moult of its tail feathers - see photo on the right below.
From previous years I would expect the Spotted Redshank to be here for at least another week and maybe more. Last sights over the past two years were 21-Mar and 16-Mar.


THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1 - 2018
Graham Petrie was at Nore Barn today at high water and got this interesting shot of the Spotted Redshank with a Common Redshank. Graham was a little concerned if the bird had lost a leg or was it tucked under. No problem, Graham. Spotted Redshank in common with most other waders occasionally roost on one leg, presumably as a way of relaxing - a bit like when we cross our legs.


SATURDAY JANUARY 20 - 2018
The Havant Wildlife Group met in Bridge Road car park yesterday (Jan 20) for their walk in Emsworth. I was sorry I was not well enough to join them. However, despite the wet weather they had a great time and Emsworth certainly lived up to its rightful reputation as one of the best birdwatching spots in the country!
When we reached the sailing club we turned west towards Nore Barn. The tide was well out but a large group of dunlin were noted, also wigeon, shelduck, pintails, oystercatchers and a few grey plovers. Plenty of Brent geese, of course. Later very good close ups of oystercatchers and wigeon.
We approached the famous stream where the spotted redshank was slowly making its way to where we were. It seemed to have no fear of us and came really close, walking across the pebbles, providing an excellent opportunity for good photographs.


THURSDAY JANUARY 18 - 2018

Two Spotted Redshanks at Nore Barn
Peter Milinets-Raby had two Spotted Redshanks during today's visit to Nore Barn. It is not unusual to find two there, but Peter provides photos to help distinguish the regular bird from the occasional visitor. Peter says the regular Nore Barn bird is the one with darker, thinner loral streak through eye: wider white eye-brow, extending further beyond the eye and a shade darker than the other bird - the regular bird is on the right.

Peter checked my recent video (Jan 14) and thinks this IS the regular bird, the pale Spotted Redshank we sometimes see is the intruder. See . . . https://youtu.be/yBWXtstAwes

Peter also got two other nice photos one showing the two Spotted Redshanks with the regular Greenshank G+GL and a Common Redshank and the other with one of the Spotted Redshanks having a big yawn!

Brian Lawrence also got a shot of what looks like the regular Spotted Redshank today.

And I think the one I saw later in the afternoon may have been the regular bird too, though the light was poor.


SUNDAY JANUARY 14 - 2018
Nore Barn
I popped over to Nore Barn at 12 noon - about 2 hours after high water. The tide was still well in and the stream fairly full. However, the ever faithful Spotted Redshank was feeding as usual, first on the edge of the stream, then among the seaweed on the shore as the tide receded.

I made a short video of the Spotted Redshank feeding and Brent Geese in the distance which can be seen on YouTube on the following link . . . https://youtu.be/yBWXtstAwes


TUESDAY OCTOBER 24 - 2017
The Spotted Redshank, colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) and Common Redshank were feeding closely together in the small stream, just like good friends meeting up again after the summer break. There were also a few Godwits in the stream.


SUNDAY OCTOBER 22 - 2017
First sighting!
4.30pm - 5.00pm. I went over to Nore Barn for the first time since my fall over a week ago. The tide was falling and the stream gradually emptying. Just right for our Spotted Redshank and, hey presto, there it was! From its general behaviour I am fairly sure it is the famous 'tame' Spotted Redshank that has been visiting Nore Barn for the past 14 years. It was feeding in the stream in the usual leisurely manner with its 'companions' the colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) and a Common Redshank nearby. Here are a couple of shots, one of it with a small morsel in its bill and the other looking around its winter home. This is quite late for a first sighting, though it could well have been here for a week or so while I have been absent. It has been this late several times in previous years, e.g, 21-Oct in 2011 and 08-Nov in 2008.


TUESDAY OCTOBER 10- 2017
John Jury was at Nore Barn today where the regular colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) was in the stream, with a Common Redshank, but still no Spotted Redshank. It is not too late, but I am getting increasingly despondent!


TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12 - 2017
I went over to Nore Barn this afternoon at about 1.30pm mainly to look for the Spotted Redshank that has now been seen by two people, Anne de Potier (Sep 5) and Peter Milinets-Raby (Sep 9). In each of these two occasions the Spotted Redshank was feeding with the regular colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL). If this was the regular Spotted Redshank that has been feeding in the stream at Nore Barn for the past 13 winters running then it is some 3 weeks earlier than any previous first sighting date.
This afternoon, the tide was rising to high water at about 4pm, so I was quite hopeful of seeing the bird which I have missed in previous visits this month. I stayed until about 2.30 by which time the tide was well advanced and filling the small stream. A Common Redshank was present for the whole period I was there and was joined by the regular colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) and they were feeding together quite amicably.

Here is a shot of them bathing together in the shallow stream
and the Greenshank showing its rings when it came up stream

But, alas, there was no sign of the Spotted Redshank. I know the regular Spotted Redshank usually takes a little while to settle into a feeding routine after it first arrives, so I am not entirely surprised about its non presence today. However, the question remains, is it or is it not our regular Spotted Redshank? Only time will tell.


SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9 - 2017
Peter Milinets-Raby was out this morning as the sun rose (6:28am to 9:41am - low tide throughout) looking for birds along the shoreline from Emsworth to Warblington.
Nore Barn (from 7:28am): Redshank with colour rings (-//O + O//BY), 2 Greenshank and 1 Spotted Redshank feeding together. 76 Teal.


TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5 - 2017
Spotted Redshank returns?
This morning Anne de Potier saw a Spotted Redshank in the stream at Nore Barn along with the regular colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL). If this was the same Spotted Redshank that has been visiting Nore Barn for the past 13 years, it would be the earliest arrival date on record. The previous earliest date was 27 Sep in 2015. How exciting.

Here is one of the last shots we got of the famous Spotted Redshank in the Nore Barn stream
before it left on migration to Northern Scandinavia in March this year.
Photo by Peter Milinets-Raby (16 March 2017).

 


For all the earlier sightings and photos go to . . . Spotted Redshank Home Page