I woke this morning to messages reporting two Whiskered Terns at Sandbach Flashes — a first record for the site. With the birds still present, I made my way over without delay.
On arrival, I met up with Phil Locker, who quickly put me onto the birds. Both terns were showing well at Elton Hall Flash, spending time preening on fence posts at the end of the spit before taking short flights around the flash, allowing excellent comparison with nearby Common Terns.
The two Whiskered Terns
Common Tern and Whiskered Tern
Whiskered tern in flight
The pair had been present in Nottinghamshire the previous day before moving on to Cheshire, and they remained on site for just a single day. They have since continued their journey north and are now reported in Cleveland.
Other notable species during the visit included Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, and Common Tern, adding further interest to an already productive morning.
Birders on site
A thoroughly enjoyable visit, made all the better by good views of a quality rarity and the chance to catch up with many familiar faces on site.
