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Alan Else

A couple of "mega"  birds were spotted at Cliffe Pools over the weekend:

A juv Pallid Harrier was observed during the evening of Saturday 24th feeding over the Black Barn pools between the 1st and 2nd viewing mounds. The following morning it was briefly seen leaving it's roost site and heading off towards Lower Hope Point or further east. During late morning it was seen feeding around Shade House/Decoy Fleet area and I was lucky enough to intercept the bird at Coombe Bay, where it flew east off St Mary's Marshes and continued across the saltings towards Allhallows at 10.45. As it was not seen back at Cliffe roosting on Sunday evening, it looks as though the bird may have left the area for Sheppey or some destination further east. However, it may surprise everyone by reappearing to roost at Cliffe so should be checked for over the next few evenings!
 
After such excitement it seemed beyond belief that reports started coming in about a juv Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Cliffe Pools, seen by Richard Bonser along the west edge of the Flamingo Pool. Unfortunately the bird flew with other waders and settled in the main roost of Grey Plovers etc along the north edge and was obscured by vegetation. Later a couple of people strolling along the causeway flushed the roost and most of the waders left for the river/Essex. There is a good chance the sandpiper may appear again on this afternoon's high tide.
 
Also on the pools on Sunday were the following numbers of waders, mostly roosting on the Flamingo Pool or the Radar/Hidden Pool islands, either counted by myself or others:-
Avocet 360
Ba/T Godwit 15
Bl/T Godwit 54
Spotted Redshank 2
Little Stint 5
Grey Plover 100
Greenshank 6
Semi-palmated Sandiper 1 juv
 
Also a B/N Grebe and a Kingfisher on the Flamingo Pool
 
many thanks to Murray Orchard for the information!