Ripley (Hampshire) 22/01/26

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It's been a long time since my unfortunate dip with Killdeer in Anglesey (1994) so yesterday's news that one had been found at Ripley Farm in Hampshire was clearly of great interest. I waited for news this morning then set off, encountering the usual delays on the M25 in a journey that took 2.5 hours. The weather en-route was generally wet though had stopped raining on arrival near the farm.

The bird was present on the far bank of a reservoir and I was fortunate to see it through the 'scope soon after reaching the site. However, the view was distant so I walked a bit further on to where most of the birders were watching from. Even so the Killdeer was still 2-300 metres away and was now facing away with just the top of it's head being visible. It stayed like that for the best part of an hour before walking along the grassy strip along the back of the reservoir and giving satisfactory views.

There were many wildfowl on the reservoir, mostly Wigeon and Shoveler. Also present was an adult Little Gull which at one time flew off before returning to the reservoir after about 20 minutes.

The other notable bird was a White-tailed Eagle no less, which was seen in flight to the north of the reservoir.

By 2 pm the rain had set in again and I decided to call it a day, happy that I'd finally seen Killdeer in the UK.

Killdeer




Birders at the reservoir with yours truly third from the left. Picture by Ewan Urquhart.

Little Gull with Wigeon in the background 

Birds on the reservoir with Little Gull in flight on the right.


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