A Spotted Sandpiper from America has taken up residence on & around the weir / canoe slalom area of the National Water sports centre in Nottingham. Its been there a couple of weeks so, we decided to have a trip to see it. Positive news on Saturday had the three of us, Bob K, Kevin & myself, on our way at 7-30am. The weather was fresh but bright periods in the morning gave it a spring feeling as we reached Nottingham. Bobs famous satnav took us through the centre of the city and had us down some streets that had not been visited since Friar Tuck was around. Eventually we found our way out of the maze and found the water sports area.
After seeing a few familiar faces as we entered the park, we were soon in the right area with a few birders searching for the sandpiper. People in kayaks negotiating the various man made rapids made the experience a little bit strange. The Spotted Sandpiper showed really well and was a new bird for a lot of people. Now there was a bit of a disagreement between a couple of birders, regarding the old subject of long lens photographers getting too close to rare birds. There were some words used that I am not familiar with, but peace soon returned as the offender left the area, enough said! Nice to see Holly again after her various trips around the UK.
A Long tailed Duck was seen on the main regatta type lake along with long and short racing boats and lots of people carrying oars and dressed accordingly. We went for a closer look at the bird as the racing commenced, the duck didnt seem to bother. A Kingfisher was seen as it dashed along the river, this species always brightens up the day. Now news of up to three Smew reached us that have been seen on the A52 pit. A look at a map which Holly had sent us revealed it to be a rather large area of water. After trying a couple of backroads, without success, we went out of the park and onto the A52. We parked in a layby and found a spot to search the lake/pit at the western end. After a while we found a male Smew in all its finery only 50 yards away, it drifted down to the east of the lake and we had distant views of it. We all had a good look around the eastern end but could not relocate the bird. Left the area around 2-30pm and reached home in the daylight at 4-30am. A very enjoyable day out.
