Bill Myerscough wrote:

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John,

A cracking series of photos of those 6 waders and also a really nice reward for you for all the hours that you put in at PF! Like Geoff, I have really enjoyed looking at them and learning. Great stuff.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 5th of September 2009 05:33:44 PM

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 5th of September 2009 05:35:05 PM

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dave broome wrote:

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

That six waders shot across the centre of the flash in the blink of an eye and John managed any shots at all, let alone the excellent images (all things considered, light, speed, distance) is a fantastic tribute to his photographic effort. It just goes to show that they're out there but you've gotta be out there with them to pick them up.

Congratulations on the shots John, they capture the atmosphere of that moment when being out there in today's conditions pay off...stunning stuff. Surprised there hasn't been a Skua through, though I suppose one could easily have sneaked by unseen.

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

That six waders shot across the centre of the flash in the blink of an eye and John managed any shots at all, let alone the excellent images (all things considered, light, speed, distance) is a fantastic tribute to his photographic effort. It just goes to show that they're out there but you've gotta be out there with them to pick them up.

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Of course the photo (and any description) will be subject to assessment by the county rarities committee, so I'm not pre-empting their decision here. But the photo (in my opinion) quite clearly portrays 4 juvenile Dunlin and 2 marvellous juvenile Curlew Sandpipers.

That six waders shot across the centre of the flash in the blink of an eye and John managed any shots at all, let alone the excellent images (all things considered, light, speed, distance) is a fantastic tribute to his photographic effort. It just goes to show that they're out there but you've gotta be out there with them to pick them up.

I'll upload the photos after I've had my tea, I've just come sraight in from work and been straight on the 'phone and 'puter

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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6 Curlew Sandpipers flew straight through the flash heading west at 5:20pm today. They didn't stop (there's barely anywhere for them to land at present anyway) but were apparently photographed, so keep an eye on the website galleries tonight.

Info thanks to John Tymon

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Consider it done John (selling the scope), how's two and a half grand grab you? I fancy trying the new Leica so I've got to pay for it somehow, unless Leica are reading this and fancy sponsoring my website

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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JOHN TYMON wrote:

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our first thought as it shot through east was the same,possible sandwich ,but when it returned to the point later,it didn't look big enough for sandwich then alarm bells started,and i took a lot of distant shots,my thoughts before i left was arctic possible,but like you say it had a wedge tail,and the bill to me seemed slim and black,even im not used to this plumage,at the flash,and it was confirmed later as a arctic tern,but ive sent pics to the guru(Ian)who im sur will give his detailed oppinion after work tomorrow,brightened up a dull day and puzzled about 10 of us in horrocks as the afternoon went on.
p.s there was also a common at slag lane end eirlier,that was in bad moult that also looked strange,so its something to read up on in winter,god help us if a hard to id wader dropped in we'd be knackered

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JOHN TYMON wrote:

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our first thought as it shot through east was the same,possible sandwich ,but when it returned to the point later,it didn't look big enough for sandwich then alarm bells started,and i took a lot of distant shots,my thoughts before i left was arctic possible,but like you say it had a wedge tail,and the bill to me seemed slim and black,even im not used to this plumage,at the flash,and it was confirmed later as a arctic tern,but ive sent pics to the guru(Ian)who im sur will give his detailed oppinion after work tomorrow,brightened up a dull day and puzzled about 10 of us in horrocks as the afternoon went on.
p.s there was also a common at slag lane end eirlier,that was in bad moult that also looked strange,so its something to read up on in winter,god help us if a hard to id wader dropped in we'd be knackered

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I'm really not sure about the guru bit John but...

Photos of the tern are now on the galleries. A typical juvenile for the time of year, concentrate on the secondaries in the flight shots. Clearly white, lacking a dark trailing edge and the palest part of the wing. Juvenile Common would show a dark trailing edge. To be fair, Sandwich Tern is a different beast all-together although confusion is always possible. Have a look in your favourite bird books and see if you can make out the differences for yourselves

mike haylett wrote:

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hi, i saw it at the slag lane end and it puzzled me. i thought sandwich tern because of the wedge shaped tail as opposed to the more fluted and sharper profile of other terns,anyone have any comments, regards mike

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our first thought as it shot through east was the same,possible sandwich ,but when it returned to the point later,it didn't look big enough for sandwich then alarm bells started,and i took a lot of distant shots,my thoughts before i left was arctic possible,but like you say it had a wedge tail,and the bill to me seemed slim and black,even im not used to this plumage,at the flash,and it was confirmed later as a arctic tern,but ive sent pics to the guru(Ian)who im sur will give his detailed oppinion after work tomorrow,brightened up a dull day and puzzled about 10 of us in horrocks as the afternoon went on.
p.s there was also a common at slag lane end eirlier,that was in bad moult that also looked strange,so its something to read up on in winter,god help us if a hard to id wader dropped in we'd be knackered

JOHN TYMON wrote:

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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The Sandwich Tern appears to probably be an Arctic Tern, though I am unable to get down there myself currently. I'm promised some pics later which might help but if you're in the area and can offer an opinion then please do.

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ive got some distant shots,and it has a thin black bill,white forehead,wings have a darkish look when landed,and dark shoulder patches,short tail,and seems small in comparison to bhgull,anyone gets to see it bang it on here and put my mind at rest,possibly commic,but strange could be something else as it gave the impression of a marsh tern when flying like a pale black ternput my mind at rest if you see it ,i only had bins and a camera,have to get a scope soon.
unfortunately i had to leave,but if you get a chance get down,its probably just just a common or arctic,but it did seem small.
p,s it was right on the end of the point with the lesser black backs for most of the time

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of August 2009 05:24:53 PM

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just had a message from ian-its been confirmed as an artic tern-thanks all

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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The Sandwich Tern appears to probably be an Arctic Tern, though I am unable to get down there myself currently. I'm promised some pics later which might help but if you're in the area and can offer an opinion then please do.

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ive got some distant shots,and it has a thin black bill,white forehead,wings have a darkish look when landed,and dark shoulder patches,short tail,and seems small in comparison to bhgull,anyone gets to see it bang it on here and put my mind at rest,possibly commic,but strange could be something else as it gave the impression of a marsh tern when flying like a pale black ternput my mind at rest if you see it ,i only had bins and a camera,have to get a scope soon.
unfortunately i had to leave,but if you get a chance get down,its probably just just a common or arctic,but it did seem small.
p,s it was right on the end of the point with the lesser black backs for most of the time

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of August 2009 05:24:53 PM