A CRACKING HAMPSHIRE DOUBLE

When news broke early yesterday morning that a Killdeer had been found at Ripley Farm Reservoir in Hampshire, it immediately set pulses racing. A familiar and vocal plover across much of North America, the Killdeer is a genuine rarity on this side of the Atlantic, with only a handful of British records. The bird had lingered until dusk the previous evening, and with optimism high, plans were quickly set in motion.

I teamed up with birding mates Owen Parsons and Rob Pocklington, both of whom needed the bird as a lifer. Although I’d seen a Killdeer once before, back in September 2007 at the Pool of Virkie in Shetland, I still needed it for my England list, and the prospect of a day out birding was reason enough in itself.

Owen picked me up at a decidedly unholy 3:30am, and we rolled into Ripley just after 8am, encouraged by messages confirming the bird was still present. A brisk 15-minute walk brought us onto the site, where a few familiar faces were already watching the bird and quickly put us straight onto it.

And what a bird it was. Smart, alert, and that unmistakable double-ringed breast pattern leaving no doubt, the Killdeer looked every bit the New World plover it is.

Despite having seen one before, it was still a thrill to watch, and for Owen and Rob, especially, finally connecting with a long-wanted lifer was written all over their faces. A proper moment.

With spirits high, we turned our attention to the journey home, but not before making a detour to visit another transatlantic wanderer: the Great-tailed Grackle. This bold, glossy icterid is a familiar sight across Central and North America, where its range continues to expand northwards, yet in Britain it remains a notable rarity. This individual had already been present for some time, and I’d managed to connect with it last year.

On arrival, the bird didn’t disappoint, now frequenting a nearby housing estate and showing remarkably well. Its long keel-shaped tail, piercing eye, and confident demeanour made for excellent views. 

For both Owen and Rob, neither of whom had seen one before, it was another lifer safely in the bag, rounding off the day in style.

After that, it was simply a case of pointing the car north and reflecting on a day that had delivered everything you hope for from a rarity run. We eventually rolled back home just after 4pm, tired but buzzing, after what could only be described as a cracking day’s birding.