SELECTED
SPOTTED REDSHANK SIGHTINGS
FOR WINTER 2019-20
in
reverse chronological order
Return to . . .
Spotted
Redshank Home Page
. .
SATURDAY
APRIL 4 - 2020
Spotted
Redshank remains! . . .
.
. . . . That was our final sighting of the
season.
Susan Kelly is
sure the Spotted Redshank is still at Nore Barn. She
saw it close up this morning at 9am on a rising tide,
very close to the shore.
Susan says . . . "Quite
unmistakable, wading very deep, certainly not a Common
Redshank. I watched it feeding through field-glasses
for several minutes, both in and out the water. It
seemed oddly slowed-down, but may have been replete at
the end of the feeding session. When I returned after
walking through the wood the tide was much higher. I
could make out the shape of a wader snoozing on one
leg on the bank, but the vegetation and sun made it
impossible to see properly. There's a surprise. But
you'll be sceptical without a photo".
No I don't think I
need a photo as you are so sure. My only doubt is
whether it is 'our' Spotted Redshank as others could
be passing through. But as it was in the right place
and behaved the same way then I must agree. This is
the latest ever sighting, so I will need to change my
records!! Please keep watching. Could it even be
thinking about staying for the summer?
TUESDAY
APRIL 1 - 2020
Adieu
Spotted Redshank?
Our last
sighting of the famous Emsworth Spotted Redshank was
on 26 March by Susan Kelly who saw the bird in
the usual place in the stream at Nore Barn " . . .
feeding and bobbing all on his own, and looking very
fat". There has been no further sightings so I think
we can safely assume that it has now left our shores
and is on its way back to its breeding grounds,
probably in Northern Scandinavia. This is a few days
later than in recent years. Age-wise at 17+ the bird
must be getting near the end of its active life, so
one has to wonder if it will be back again next year
to spend a 17th successive winter at Nore Barn. At
least it won't succumb to the dreaded coronavirus.
SATURDAY
MARCH 28 - 2020
Has
Spotted Redshank
gone?
The tide was
still fairly low by the time I got to Nore Barn at
about 11am. From the end of Warblington Road I could
see a small wader a long way out on the edge of the
channel which did not look like the Spotted Redshank.
I was right, for as it came closer, I could clearly
see the familiar outline and demeanour of a Common
Redshank.
This video clip shows the Common Redshank today . . .
. https://youtu.be/SLJaoFLAgXw
Moving over to the
stream, which was not much more than a trickle of
water, I found the regular colour-ringed Greenshank
(G+GL) feeding alone with no sign of the Spotted
Redshank! Has it gone?
Here is a video clip of the Greenshank . . .
https://youtu.be/lkk9aR6QVRM
THURSDAY
MARCH 26 - 2020
Spotted
Redshank is still here
Susan Kelly
e-mails to say the Spotted Redshank is still at Nore
Barn as of 8.45 am Thurs. 26, feeding and bobbing all
on his own, and looking very fat. That's good as he
has a long journey to make. Susan has promised to look
out for our bird when she takes her regular walk to
Nore Barn for which I am very grateful, as I cannot
easily get there. The bird has already stayed much
longer than in any year since 2013 and it will equal
that record if it shows up for Susan tomorrow!
TUESDAY
MARCH 24 - 2020
No
Spotted Redshank!
I escaped
briefly from the house to check on the Spotted
Redshank at Nore Barn at 2pm, about 2 hours after high
water. The state of tide was ideal and the stream
running swiftly, but there was no sign of the Spotted
Redshank anywhere. Maggie Gebbett called to me over
her garden fence which overlooks Nore Barn harbour to
say she had seen the Spotted Redshank yesterday, but
not today. As last year's last sighting date was Mar
23, this could mean the bird had gone, but we really
need a few more no-sighting days to be fairly sure.
So, please keep a look out and let me know
MONDAY
MARCH 23 - 2020
Spotted
Redshank is here
Susan Kelly
reports the continued presence of the Spotted Redshank
at 10am today feeding in the stream with its favourite
companion the colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GR).
SUNDAY
MARCH 22 - 2020
Spotted
Redshank is still here!
I had three
responses to my posting about my failure to see the
Spotted Redshank at Nore Barn yesterday all of whom
reported our marvellous bird was safe and well.
Susan Kelly saw the Spotted Redshank at 8.30am
yesterday being bothered by dogs.
Steve Dennett saw the bird a bit later at 11am but it
was gone at approx 12.30
Then, Jo Bray, whom I met when I was there at 12.30
ish, saw the Spotted Redshank after they left us to
return to their car at the end of Warblington
Road.
I had another two messages this morning to say the
Spotted Redshank was still about. That is great. Mark
Wagstaff was out very early doing his social
distancing at Nore Barn/Warblington and saw the
Spotted Redshank in the stream! On its own with no
Greenshank. Mark said ... "I've never known it to be
so confiding. I got the sun behind me and gave it
quite a bit of distance and it then walked towards me
- almost to my feet! I kept having to reduce the zoom
on my camera rather than always peering at something
distant at the long end. Have attached a few photos -
you must have an album full of just this bird now but
it photographs really nicely!" Yes, I do have
thousands, but good ones like yours are always welcome
Mark.
Tony Wootton was at
Nore Barn his morning at 9.45 and found the Spotted
Redshank in the stream together with friend the
colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL). What good news. Any
other sightings are always welcome.
SATURDAY
MARCH 21 - 2020
There was no
sign of the Spotted Redshank at Nore Barn despite the
tide being at the right state for its presence. I am
coming to the conclusion that the bird may well have
already left our shores for its migration back to its
breeding grounds in Northern Scandinavia. My last
sighting was on Monday 16 March, but I shall keep
checking for the next week or so and would appreciate
any further sightings. But I think that is that for
another year. Will it be back for a 17th year, who
knows?
MONDAY
MARCH 16 - 2020
I popped over
to Nore Barn at about 14.30 with the tide rising to
high water in about 2 hours. Unusually, the Spotted
Redshank was feeding not in the stream as is his wont,
but along the shore at the end of Warblington Road.
Occasionally, he waded
out further out in a search for food
Maureen Power also
reported seeing the Spotted Redshank feeding in the
stream later this afternoon - about 4pm.
FRIDAY
MARCH 13 - 2020
I got to Nore
Barn at about 11.00 with about 3 hours to high water
mainly to check on the Spotted Redshank. When I
arrived our friendly bird was roaming around the
saltmarshes to the west of the stream which was yet to
fill up with tidal water. It finally settled down in
the rapidly filling stream for a wash and preen before
getting down to the important business of feeding.
On the basis of
previous years I would expect the Spotted Redshank to
remain here for another week or so before making its
way back to its breeding grounds in Northern
Scandinavia. Bon voyage, my friend. See you again in
October maybe?
Video clip of the
Spotted Redshank preening . . . https://youtu.be/8GJ5rxAV0EE
TUESDAY
MARCH 10 - 2020
I popped into
Nore Barn at about 10am this morning. It was blowing a
gale and the tide was close to high water. But the
ever faithful Spotted Redshank was present in the
flooded stream, feeding nonchalantly on its own. I
took some photos and video clip which was not easy in
the strong wind.
The expected date of
departure of this iconic bird, now in its 16th winter
with us, is fast approaching; last year our last
sighting was on Mar 23rd which is in about 2 weeks
time. I shall keep checking, but would really
appreciate receiving any other sightings before it
leaves on its migration to its breeding grounds,
probably in Northern Scandinavia.
Video
clip of the Spotted Redshank at Nore
Barn . . .
https://youtu.be/VMJzuCntwDA
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 25 - 2020
I nipped over
to Nore Barn at about 12 noon mainly to check on the
Spotted Redshank. The tide was already well advanced
and the stream full. However, the ever reliable
Spotted Redshank was roosting on the edge of the
saltmarshes with a Brent Geese nearby keping company.
On the basis of past
years he should be here for another 4 weeks before
leaving for the breeding grounds in Northern
Scandinavia.
THURSDAY
JANUARY 9 - 2020
I arrived at
Nore Barn at 11.30am with the tide still quite high.
The weather was dull and cloudy, but remarkably mild
for the time of year and the sea calm. There were few
birds on the water in the main bay apart from a small
flock of Brent Geese peacefully swimming around
and grunting gently to each other.
The regular Spotted Redshank and colour-ringed
Greenshank (G+GL) were on edge of the saltmarshes at
the far side of the stream when I arrived.
But I did not have to
wait long for them to fly onto the stream which is
their main winter feeding site. They spent the next
hour or so mostly feeding together, close to where the
fresh water stream emerges from beneath the small
bridge. While there, they provided me with wonderfully
close-up views for some photos and videos.
Video of Spotted
Redshank and Greenshank feeding . . . https://youtu.be/Sri6d7LGuvs
Video of Spotted
Redshank . . . https://youtu.be/RcGfl5KOc5o
I was the only person
to take any more than a passing interest in these
splendid birds until Roy Eames arrived on the scene
with rake and slasher in his hands, fresh from
conservation work in the woods. He deserves a medal!
We admired the birds feeding in the stream until they
were disturbed by a dog chasing into the water and
they flew off to the saltmarshes. We gently admonished
the lady owner for not having her dog on a lead and
reminded her of the ecological importance of this
stream and the rare migrant birds that her dog had
disturbed. One can but try and hope the message gets
through. The birds actually returned to the stream
after the dog had gone as they always do, so no great
harm was done, but the principle is that wild birds
should not be disturbed when they are feeding.
FRIDAY
DECEMBER 13 - 2019
I went over to
Nore Barn at about 10am, close to high water, to check
on the Spotted Redshank which I had not seen for a
little while. All was well. Our famous bird was
feeding in the stream with its regular feeding
companion, the colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL),
nearby. I was delighted to meet Nita Gupta my dentist
who was also watching the Spotted Redshank with her
binoculars. I have often discussed birds with Nita
during my dental appointments, but I have not seen her
at Nore Barn before. It was a cold blustery morning,
so I did not stay long. I took a few photos and a
video clip.
Video clip of the
Spotted Redshank feeding . . . https://youtu.be/xVulgtsrk_g
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 29 - 2019
The tide was
already well advanced by the time I arrived at Nore
Barn this morning. As a result there were relatively
few birds to be seen apart from Brent Geese in the
harbour and, of course, the one and only Spotted
Redshank feeding in the stream with just a single
Dunlin for company. The sun was too bright off the sea
for decent photos, but here's the best I got.
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 19 - 2019
I went over to
Nore Barn this afternoon mainly to check on the
Spotted Redshank. The tide was well in when I arrived
and the stream full of tidal water. The Spotted
Redshank was the only bird present, getting its feet
muddy on the edge of the stream, close to where I was
standing. I gave him a little wave and I am sure I saw
a hint of a response from him. See you later!
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 17 - 2019
When I arrived
at Nore Barn at about 12.30 this afternoon, the
Spotted Redshank was feeding at the top of the stream
by the bridge. It was so ridiculously close that I
just had to stop to take some photos and a video of
it. What a beautiful and extraordinary bird. No one is
going to tell me that this is not the same bird that
has been coming to this spot for the past 16 years and
behaving in exactly this manner.
Video clip of the
Spotted Redshank feeding . . . https://youtu.be/oaBmciPwwgI
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 13 - 2019
Peter
Milinets-Raby reports . . .
"Perfect timing this morning for the Spotted Redshank
in the stream, but a bit too late and sunny for
everything else.
Nore Barn from 9:30am tide virtually in
In the stream was the Spotted Redshank (I had made
my mind up to walk straight passed and ignore it, BUT
it was soooo close, less than four metres away, so I
took a few photos. I just love the pose when it is
head on - such an elegant and slim wader - superb!
Also in the stream asleep was the Greenshank (G//R +
GL//- See photo) and actively feeding were 2 Dunlin.
I also went to Nore
Barn this afternoon with the tide falling. The Spotted
Redshank was still in the stream along with the
colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) and one of the two
Dunlin seen by Peter earlier. The sun was low, but I
got a few shots to add to those of Peter's.
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 6 - 2019
Very much on
speck I stopped off at Nore Barn on my way home from
Chichester at about 1.15pm. The tide way out and I was
not expecting to see much, but what a lovely surprise
to find our two friends, Spotted Redshank and
colour-ringed Greenshank feeding happily together.
Peter Milinets-Raby also saw the Spotted Redshank at
low water yesterday, so clearly it is not restricted
to 2-3 hours either side of high water as it has been
in the past.
Here is a video clip
of the two birds showing their good companionship . .
. https://youtu.be/RN47FgHzJac
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 5 - 2019
Peter
Milinets-Raby found Spotted Redshank in the
stream on its own showing really well down to five
metres. It walked up to me, recognised my woollen hat
and I'm sure it then winked at me! I managed to grab
half a dozen photos before it was rudely disturbed -
see photos.
I went over to Nore
Barn at 3.15pm with the tide rising to high water in a
couple of hours. As Peter indicated in his report, the
Spotted Redshank was in typically good form today,
feeding happily at the top of the stream near the
bridge and winking a sweet 'hello' to familiar figures
- like Peter and me!! There is no other Spotted
Redshank that would feed this close nor provide such a
perfect photo opportunity with my simple point and
shoot camera .
Here is a video clip I
took of this truly wonderful bird with.
https://youtu.be/qlPGGVQ9--I
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 3 - 2019
I got to Nore
Barn at 12.45 with the tide rising to high water in
about 3 hours. When I arrived the Spotted Redshank was
resting on the mudflats near the saltmarshes to the
west of the stream.
When I was about to
leave at 13.15 the Spotted Redshank had migrated to
the stream where it was being very closely watched by
a photographer with a huge lens camera.
Having watched the
Spotted Redshank for the past 16 years, I know it is
unlikely to be fazed by the photographer's proximity,
but it is not good practice to go that close and risk
disturbing any wild animal just to get a photo. I have
hundreds of decent photos of the famous bird on my web
site all taken with my simple point and shoot camera
at a reasonable distance. It's a cinch!
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 1 - 2019
When I left
just before 12 noon the Spotted Redshank and
colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) were snoozing together
on the edge of the saltmarshes to the west of the
stream.
Friends reunited!
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 31 - 2019 - Spotted Redshank
returns!
After much
waiting, looking and worrying, this morning's trip to
Nore Barn was rewarded with the return of the famous
Spotted Redshank for the 16th winter running. I got to
Nore Barn at about 09.45 in good time to watch the
tide rising. The weather was perfect for birdwatching,
calm, cloudy, a bit misty with a slight chill in the
air. Here is a view looking down the channel from the
stream towards Thorney Island in the distance.
At about 10.15 I was
pleased to meet up with Emily from Solent Aware who
had set up her notice and scope at the end of
Warblington Road, informing passers-by about the birds
to be seen in the harbour - and a very good job she
was doing too!
Well, Emily and I were
chatting when I noticed a pale bird suddenly turn up
on the far bank of the main channel from the stream.
At first, I thought it was probably the regular
colour-ringed Greenshank, but when I looked through my
scope ... Wow! That was it. The Spotted Redshank had
arrived! I felt like giving Emily a big hug as she was
my lucky mascot, but felt that would not be in order!
Funny how these things happen; my first sighting of
the Spotted Redshank last year was with my grandson
Joe last year and this year I was with Emily.
The Spotted Redshank spent some time half snoozing on
the edge of the channel where it had one of the
colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits (R+LG) for company
for a little while.
Eventually, the
Spotted Redshank moved further upstream, looking
sprightly and none the worse for its journey from
Scandinavia
It seems to be
thinking - Did you think I would not make it?
When in the stream it
met up with the colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL) which
has been its long standing feeding companion over many
years. The Greenshank has had to put up with the
company of a Common Redshank for the past month, but
there was no hiding its delight to see the Spotted
Redshank appear. Sorry to get a bit anthropomorphic
but that is how I saw it!
Here is a video clip
of the moment the two birds met in the stream.
Apologies for the heavy breathing!
Go to . . . https://youtu.be/jBIZBjldeYE
Later on I found the
Spotted Redshank further upstream close to the small
footbridge where it usually prefers to feed when
undisturbed. This is where I got more video footage .
. . https://youtu.be/tN7s4IciHsQ
What an incredible
bird. It must be at least 16 years old which far
exceeds the longevity record for this species, but, of
course, the authorities would not accept this record
as it is not ringed or marked in any way. But I know
it is the same bird!
For full details of this bird's history in Emsworth go
to . . . Spotted
Redshank at Nore Barn
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 29 - 2019
I got to Nore
Barn at 9am with tide rising and about 3 hours to high
water. I stayed for an hour as the tide gradually
filled the stream. Greenshank (G+GL) and Common
Redshank were feeding in the stream along with a brief
visit from a Little Egret.
But alas, there is
still no Spotted Redshank. Today (Oct 29th) was the
date of my first sighting of this famous bird last
year. I remember the occasion well as I was
accompanied by my grandson, Joe. Maybe I should have
got him to come along today?
As we were looking
after Joe this afternoon, I asked him to come with me
to have another look at the Nore Barn stream on the
falling tide at 3pm, but still no luck. The Greenshank
and the Redshank were still in the stream, but no
Spotted Redshank. We did not stay long as there was
clearly not much hope. Maybe we can try again
tomorrow.
High tide tomorrow is
12:30pm but I shall not be able to do the rising tide
as it is my volunteer day at the Pallant Gallery.
However, I hope to check the stream on the falling
tide at around 3.30pm, maybe with Joe. Things are
starting to look grim, but I shall be monitoring the
stream for another week or so just in case. I am
encouraged by the fact that the first date has got
progressively later over the past 4 years:
27-Sep-2015, 11-Oct-2016, 22-Oct-2017 and
29-Oct-2018.
MONDAY
OCTOBER 21 - 2019
I went to Nore
Barn today at 1.45 for about half an hour on a rising
tide. The weather was calm and cloudy - perfect
conditions for birdwatching. In the stream were the
regular Greenshank (G+GL) and Common Redshank feeding
in close proximity. Peter Milinets-Raby saw this
Greenshank on the Warblington shore earlier at 10.25
this morning, so that is where it gets to. There was
no sign of the Spotted Redshank even though the
conditions were ideal. I am getting slightly anxious,
though there's still time as my first sighting last
year was not until Oct 29.
SUNDAY
OCTOBER 13 - 2019
I arrived at
Nore Barn at 10am with a fierce SW wind blowing in my
face. The tide was rising to high water in about 2
hours. The stream had three of its regular occupants,
colour-ringed Greenshank (G+GL), Common Redshank and
Little Egret feeding in close proximity, but there is
still no sign of the Spotted Redshank. The Spotted
Redshank first sighting date has got increasing later
over the past three years, 11-Oct (2017), 22-Oct
(2018) and 29-Oct (2019), so I am not unduly concerned
as yet, but one year it will not arrive. Here are the
Greenshank and Redshank.
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 10 - 2019
I popped over
to Nore Barn at 2pm on a falling tide. It was very
windy! The stream was already quite low; there was no
sign of Spotted Redshank as yet, or Greenshank if it
comes to that, though the regular Common Redshank was
present.
I was pleased to meet
Jo Bray and her friend near the stream. Jo runs the
bookshop in Emsworth and is planning a calendar for
2020 which will include a rather nice photo of our own
Spotted Redshank taken by Jo. I also met Peter from
Penny Lane who was keeping an eye out for the Spotted
Redshank.
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 8 - 2019
The tide was
still fairly high by the time I got to Nore Barn at
about 10.30am. I stayed for about an hour as the
stream slowly emptied. There was little of interest on
the bird front, just a lingering Mute Swan cygnet and
a snoozing Black-tailed Godwit. No sign of Spotted
Redshank or Greenshank.
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 30 - 2019
The time is
fast approaching for the hoped for arrival of the
famous Spotted Redshank in the Nore Barn stream. If it
does come this will be its 16th year running which
must be a record! Last year our first sighting of the
Spotted Redshank was 29 Oct which is very late as it
is usually here by early October and sometimes even in
late September.
These thoughts prompted my visit to Nore Barn this
morning at about 11.30 with the tide rising rapidly.
There was no Spotted Redshank, but I was pleased to
see colour-ringed Greenshank G+GL - 'waiting'
for the arrival of the Spotted Redshank, its regular
feeding companion in the stream. Today, the Greenshank
was preparing to see out high tide on the edge of the
saltmarshes to the west of the stream. Greenshank G+GL
was ringed on 22-Sep-2014 and always arrives at the
Nore Barn stream a couple of weeks or so before the
Spotted Redshank.
For all the all other
sightings and photos go to . .
.
Spotted
Redshank Home Page
