The group were arriving this evening so Francis and i headed back to the lagoon. The water level seemed a little lower and there were several flighty groups of Ringed Plovers, Curlew Sandpipers and the odd Little Stint flying about.
After kicking about along the weedy edges (only to later hear that there is a large concentration of cobra species in this area) i was beginning to think that i was somehow missing all the good waders elsewhere, when i heard an unfamiliar call. My first reaction (and that of many other people it seems) was to take some photos and not look at the bird.
Before i had chance to look at the photo the bird in question landed and revealed itself to be a Pectoral Sandpiper (a species i haven't heard for about 10 years). It was initially sat between a Black-winged Stilt and African Wattled Lapwing, and distant.
I walked closer, slowly sinking into the mud
Whilst watching this bird (a lifer for Francis) i scanned left and saw a second one!
After about 5 minutes they both took off and left to the north. Im aware that Alan Davies and Ruth Miller found one on their Biggest Twitch (and i think there is another record), but these probably constitute the 3rd-4th for Ghana.
Nearby this Yellow-throated Longclaw popped up briefly
After that it was time to head back to the hotel and clean myelf up ready for the groups arrival this evening.
Hi James. I was interested to read about your Pec Sands - great find. I was fortunate to find and photograph a bird in Feb 2009 and then again in Feb 2010 in the exact same spot! Visible from the railway line. One of my group also found an AGP in 2010, so a very underwatched area! I look forward to returning again in early 2012 and maybe having some more surprises.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHi Chris, great stuff. I heard last week that there was an AGP and a Buff-breast at the lagoon! Good luck in 2012, cheers James
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