28.2.16

The Long-Billed Dowitcher at Rutland Water

For the last 23 days a Long-Billed Dowitcher has taken up residency in and around Leicestershire and Rutland, after first being reported at Wanlip Meadows, this bird has also been seen at Wanlip North Lakes, then on the 23rd 'a' Long-billed Dowitcher had been reported at Rutland Water on Lagoon 3 and showing well.

Back in the February Half-term I took my 2 younger cousins (6&10) to Wanlip North Lakes to hopefully see the Long-billed Dowitcher, after 3/4 hour we had no look, but my cousins did get their first Green Sandpipers, Goosander, White-front and Pink-footed Geese.

On the 27th my dad and I tried again for this bird at Rutland Water where it had been seen to be showing well, when we both arrived we had ticked off 100+ Lapwing, Tufted Duck and Golden Plover, on the way towards Lagoon 3, we got close views of Bullfinch, Redwing and Song Thrush. We arrived at Shoveler hide (my favourite hide, click on this link to see why: Black Stork!), the hide wasn't to busy and within seconds of setting up the telescope myself and my dad were watching this Long-Billed Dowitcher, this was my 281st species seen in the UK!!!!!! After watching this bird for a good 30mins, it flew off with all of the Lapwing, then after a few minutes of tracking it in the sky it came and landed even closer, and getting some awesome pics of this bird:

Here is a terrible flight shot of the bird
Terrible Flight Shot



Here are some Camera photos after the bird landed

Long-Billed Dowitcher

Long-Billed Dowitcher

Long-Billed Dowitcher