A different kind of 'Richard's' at the sewage farm...


When news broke of Peter Alfrey having found a Richard's Pipit at Beddington yesterday I was unable to visit, but, via the kindness of Roger B, access was granted earlier this morning. After a rather poor 90 minutes skywatching from the northern lakeside we then scaled the slope of the mound (with Glenn and Christian) and walked onto the weedy top to search for the pipit. After 45 minutes of a no-show Glenn returned to the underwhelming sky-watch whilst Christian and I doubled-up our efforts and started all over again.

Within a couple of minutes a large, wagtail-like pipit leapt from the vegetation and flew in a tight circle around us, then hovered for a good 10 seconds before alighting once more into the vegetation. It couldn't have performed any better, with the clear supercillium, pale lores, stout bill and unmarked flanks at once obvious. The next time in flight it called three times, the classic raspy "shreee". We were then able to stalk the bird as it strode along a grassy trackway, even obtaining fair scope views. It is quite a pale bird, with the to-be-expected rangy demeanour.

On and off for the next couple of hours it was fairly easy to track down, with Roger, Derek and Frankie also joining in with second, third and fourth helpings. Another fantastic find by Peter and yet again Beddington proves that there is life in the old place yet. Many thanks to BFBG once more for their hospitality.

These two images were taken by Peter yesterday and are posted with his kind permission. Please click on the link in the first paragraph to read his excellent account and also to listen to the bird's call.

Comments

Stewart said…
Great bird. Living right on the east coast you'd think we would get Richards here but they are like hens teeth. Rarer to me than Humes, Dusky, Raddes, Pallas's etc. I've only seen one well plus another flushed that made for the horizon. Maybe this year I'll be lucky, the next week or two is good time for them....
30 October 2018 at 19:14
Simon Douglas Thompson said…
You guys are just too good
30 October 2018 at 20:31
Gibster said…
Hats off to the Alfrey Machine, whether a Sibe or a spadge on The Azores, he's on the ball and fully aware of where he's at.
31 October 2018 at 00:29
Steve Gale said…
That really does surprise me Stewart. I assume that Tawny is rarer still?
31 October 2018 at 09:58
Steve Gale said…
Yes, Mr Alfrey is a birding whirlwind
31 October 2018 at 09:59
Steve Gale said…
Mr Alfrey is that, not me
31 October 2018 at 09:59
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