Saturday 21st July 2012

Another day beckoned in Staffordshire. At least this time the forecast was for a good dry day. Walking round dry, sandy, gravel pits on a warm, summers day is something that everyone enjoys doing, especially CJW who joined me today. There had been a few waders appearing on Friday, and so we headed off full of hope. I started off at Westport, but it was really a lifeless, soul destroying visit. There hasn't been much seen there this week at all looking back.

Next stop was Blithfield. We called in at the causeway, having a chat with GJM. We drove round into Tad Bay. The water levels here are still incredibly high, and you have to start fearing the worse for wader passage this Autumn.

At Branston, on the other hand, water levels are dropping nicely. With high expectations we headed for the Sandy Pit. We had eight Green Sands, a Common Sandpiper, two juv Redshanks.......and that was all.
We visited another pit nearby, but again, we flopped. At the end of the day, we realised we'd been flogging a bit of a hot dead horse today.

During the week, PJ and myself discussed "blasts from the pasts" on quiet days in the summer. I told him today's blog would be alright, as I would find something, but he sent me some photo's just in case.  

Back to July 2005!

This beast was seen on 10th July

This monster was seen on 16th July

and this on 18th July

 Sooty Tern off Anglesey, Caspian Tern at Leighton Moss and Lesser Crested Tern in Norfolk - all in eight days. Oh the good old days!