Nocturnal Scarcities and Dipper!

Nocturnal Scarcities and Dipper!

We arrived at a spot on the River Kent just off of Nannypie Lane at about 7:00pm. We had a pin by Rob and first took a footpath towards the river bank where we saw all the typical river birds: Goosanders,  Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpipers and Grey Herons. This made me feel more confident that Dippers were around. We continued along the road which then came to an end and there was a gate leading to a footbridge which was shaky and high above the river. Although it was quite nerve-racking, we braved it out. We got superb views of the river birds with a Kingfisher even flying down river as it shot into a tree. Just then, a small songbird landed on a rock and started to preen. I looked through my binoculars to ID it but to my frustration, some people were walking on the bridge, causing it to rock and therefore not have a steady look. Luckily, as they walked off, the bird was still there and, to my delight, it was what I thought it was... A DIPPER! While these birds are very common, I had yet to have a chance to see them. Thus, they had remained on my wanted list for ages until today. At the start of the year, I had four wanted species: Yellowhammer, Wheatear, Dipper and Hen Harrier. Thanks to the help of Rob and the fact that I branched out to different sites made me cross out 3/4 of these species. Just have to wait until Winter to get my wanted Hen Harrier where I know a lot of sound spots for them. The Cuckoo has also been my nemesis bird for quite a while as I've always had the worst of luck with finding one. Anyways, after admiring the bird, we set off to go to Meathop Moss CWT, a site near Foulshaw Moss CWT where Nightjars are known to jeer. When we arrived, it was around 8:30pm and I had no thoughts of us seeing a Nightjar in this light. But, about half an hour later, I spotted a falcon-like bird fly into a bare tree. It was then followed by another that landed in the same tree, thus making the first one there leave to find another spot. They were NIGHTJARS. Although it was only a glimpse, it was enough to make me feel confident that today was the day we'd see them nicely. We had two more pairs of birders arrive, meaning more sets of eyes to look and more sets of ears to hear for Nightjars. Not much action happened after the quick glimpse, other than the pesky midges eating us alive. Then, a possible Tree Pipit landed on a pole-like bare tree to the left of the boardwalk, its beak occasionally popping into view. We then had a Woodcock as it flew over the treeline. It looked like a stocky snipe and a bit like a Woodpigeon in flight. Then, finally, our patience paid off. The churr of the Nightjar could be heard. Then, a pair of birders called us over and directed us to where the Nightjar was perched and calling. It was a wonderful site and worth the long, cold and exhausting hours. We arrived at 8:30pm and left at 11:30pm. Overall, a long, yet brilliant evening trip.