Temminck's Stint and Middleton Moor Update

I've got a bit behind with my blog so here's an update to get things back on track starting with news of a Temminck's Stint today at Middleton Moor.

Ive been visiting Middleton early in the morning so it was just 6am when I noted a small wader on the edge of the lagoon. It was some distance away but the general impression of a diminutive Common Sandpiper led me to believe it was a Temminck's Stint. Quite a few have been recorded in Britain this Spring so it was a bird that was on the radar. I managed to get a bit closer and confirm its identification and fortunately it stayed for the rest of the day so quite a few other birders were able to see it. 

Temminck's Stint

There is one previous record at Middleton Moor on 18-19 May 2012 so it could be a while before the 3rd!

Also today a colour ringed Caspian Gull was present, I saw this bird on 17 May and managed to read the ring and found out it was ringed in Germany in 2025 and has also visited Carsington, Sheffield and the RSPB Old Moor Reserve in Barnsley.

Caspian Gull with colour ring and possibly another behind

The 17th May was a big day as a Woodlark turned up a Middleton, the first site record.

Woodlark

On the previous day (16th May) I had seen Barnacle Goose and Common Tern both rare birds at Middleton so I've had a good run recently.

Barnacle Goose

Common Tern

I've also seen three Sanderling which were the first I have seen there although they do occur most years.

Sanderling

So that's me just about up to date, I hear the Stint is still present this evening so it might hang on until tomorrow.

Avocet - Middleton Moor

 I've been in Latvia at Kolka for the past 10 days so again catching up on local birds.

A good passage of waders through Middleton with a high counts of16 Ringed Plover on 25th May which left then 19 on 29th May.  Also Sanderling on 27th May then 7 on 29th.A Black-tailed Godwit was seen at Middleton on 22nd May.

I had 14 Dunlin drop in for an hour at Middleton on 30th Maywith a single Ringed Plover.

On the moors there has been regularly sightings of Hobby and the expected Nightjar and Woodcock.

This morning was a real surprise though, with a pair of Avocet on the lagoon. They slept for the first hour after I first saw them so I presume they were recent arrivals. After a sleep they were feeding and seemed fairly settled.

Avocet