Working on my pecs

Posted by Graeme Lyons , Monday 25 October 2010 19:03

Oli and I nipped out to Arlington to look for the Pectoral Sandpiper and it was behaving very nicely, walking up and down right in front of the hide! Despite the best efforts of several delinquent children waving their hands around outside the hide and in front of my telescope, the bird remained unspooked. I think this is the fourth or fifth one I have seen, being perhaps the most frequent American vagrant, I often wonder at the ultimate fate of these transatlantic anomalies (Martin F pointed out that they also breed over much of Asia so it could also come from that direction). I would be surprised though if any of them made the crossing twice. We also saw a Green Sandpiper and heard a Brambling. Slightly better than my usual attempts to take photos through my scope but certainly not anything I am proud of! UPDATE: I had no idea that Pectoral Sandpipers had recently started breeding in Scotland?!

So no ticks today but last night whilst I was watching Harry Hill I suddenly remembered another species that I have seen, many years ago, the Head Louse. That brings me to 2999, tantalisingly close!

On a more frustrating note, as I write this I am watching Ridley Scott's version of Robin Hood and was very annoyed to see a flock of CGI Canada Geese flying along the Thames Estuary in the 12th century. That pretty much sets the scene for the rest of the film. Grrrrrr!

5 Response to "Working on my pecs"

martinf Says:

Pec Sand's not necessarily an american vagrant. They breed over quite alot of Asia too, so could come that way!

Graeme Lyons Says:

Hi Martin, thanks for that. I didn't realise that they were breeding in Scotland too?!
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/pectoralsandpiper/index.aspx

Anonymous Says:

A beautiful bird. Amazing that they can fly such a long way.
:0€

Steve Gale Says:

Graeme, I bet I can find you you're 3,000th species - Human Being. We are a species, we naturally occur in the UK and I bet you haven't got us on your list. You should have and we're countable!

Graeme Lyons Says:

Bad luck Steve, Homo erectus is already on my list!

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