Loch of Strathbeg - Temminck's Stint 02/05/2025Friday, 2nd May 2025, 🌤️ 9c ~ Wind W @ 17mph ~ I decided to head over to Loch of Strathbeg this morning in the hope of connecting with a couple of Wood Sandpipers that have been reported over the last couple of days. It would also be of interest to see a drake Cinnamon Teal (of unknown origin), which was also on site. It was yet another instance of perfect timing, as just as I drove into the village, news came through of a Temminck's Stint.
Drake Cinnamon Teal, which never came quite close enough for a decent photograph.
When I arrived, there were four Tree Sparrows on the feeders and then I headed straight around to the bench area, which overlooks Starnafin Pools. There, I found Tom Kirkpatrick, who had reported the bird. Tom is a regular here, and so it was also good to have a catch-up. It didn't take long to connect with the Temminck's Stint, plus a couple of Wood Sandpipers just below our viewing point.
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| Record shot of Temminck's Stint. |
It was actually a real 'waderfest' today and I ended up with four Wood Sandpipers, two Ruff, four Ringed Plover, two Little-ringed Plover, eight Black-tailed Godwit and single Dunlin and Oystercatcher.
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| Two of the four Wood Sandpipers seen today. |
I spent an enjoyable 90 minutes with forty-one species, although I did return to the car at one point to grab my heavy coat and gloves, the stiff westerly breeze was quite bracing!
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| Ruff on Starnafin Pools. |
A few more year-ticks included my first House Martins and Common Terns, and other notable sightings included a Male Marsh Harrier, and wildfowl consisted of Shoveler, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal and thirteen Gadwall, a good number for the site. The Black-headed Gull colony was busy, and Herring Gull, Common Gull and two Lesser-black Backed Gulls were also noted.
A few more Wood Sandpiper images from the visit...
