Under-watched, Under-rated and Under my nose!

A good couple of hours this morning at Shotton NR was extended into an excellent full day’s exploration of the site after I finally bumped into Mr Nicklin!

I am guilty of criminally overlooking this area in the past after driving past the pools on countless occasions when heading to do my WeBS count over at White Sands.

Credit to Denzil, whom after surviving interrogation by Corus Security staff similar to techniques used by the CIA to break Al-Qaida suspects was eventually granted permission to use the reserve as has been birding it regularly this year.

As per usual, there were plenty of warblers singing around the ringing hut including Reed and Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Fancying a stroll, I headed up the river to White Sands area where to my delight I found two Small Coppers on the rivetment (only my second and third ever), plus a hunting female Sparrowhawk.

There was just time to do a little more construction on Flintshire’s next bird hide, before I returned back to the pools that had gained another visitor!

With a new guide, a stroll along another area of the steelworks next to the River Dee was yet another new area for me and yet another stretch of excellent habitat.

If there was any confirmation needed of the quality of the environment here, then the appearance of my first ever Dingy Skipper basking on the ground was it – a superb afternoon.

Perhaps the only negative aspect of the day was the complete absence of any Common Terns. I picked-up six a few days ago and half expected more of the colony to have returned. Not a sausage all day today and after the total failure last year, it is a little worrying…

Shotton NR/White Sands 03.05.10

Sparrowhawk 1
Whimbrel 1+
Wheatear 1 (Greenland race)
Plus six species of warbler.

Butterflies

Dingy Skipper 1
Small Copper 2
Green-veined White
Peacock
Small White

Until later.