Flagged Godwit

Before I elaborate on the subject in the post title, I should mention the birding that I've done over the past few days.

Tuesday I had a good look around in the valley, and it was worthwhile. Colyford Common was most productive, as on the main scrape on Colyford Marsh were three Green and eight Common Sandpipers. The adult Green Sands at this time of year look so much smarter than the juvs we see later in the autumn. A look along the Estuary produced 214 Black-headed Gulls (3 juvs), one Med Gull (1st-summer) and my first 'independent' juv Herring Gull of the year...

Not a Yellow-legged!

On Tuesday night whilst at work, a Green Sandpiper flew south over the back yard calling at 22:30. Wader migration in action - love it!

Wednesday a quick look along the Estuary revealed two Blackwits - both in fine summer plumage. Also 13 juvenile Herring Gulls - I've never see this many before seeing a juv Yellow-legged!

Today, and I've just popped down to Colyford Common - only two Common Sandpipers on the scrape but amongst a good number of Black-headed Gulls an adult Common Gull. Also 22 Little Egrets loafing around, only two juvs though.

So, now the flagged Blackwit. This bird was on the Axe Estuary from the 5th - 24th April this year...

Makes a change not seeing an Axe Estuary colour-ringed Godwit!

Well I have finally found out about this bird. It was ringed as a nestling on 13/6/10 in Southern Iceland. It was next sighted on the Tagus Estuary in Portugal on 24/11/10 and remained here until 25/2/11. But that's it - no more sightings until it was on the Axe in spring 2012. Great stuff.