Having spent a lot of time at our new caravan at Poppit Sands, Cardigan I was hoping that the Long-billed Dowitcher found recently at WWT, Llanelli would hang about until we came home last Thursday, it duly obliged but wasn't showing when Teresa and myself called in on our way home.
I therefore decided to make a visit yesterday and rocked up at the car park at 10.30am, Nigel Williams informed me that the bird was still present and was showing well on the lagoon from the Observatory Hide although on arrival it was not in view.
A few birders were present including Ray Davies and Dave Williams who I had not seen for a couple of years and after a 'call of nature' visit back to the reserve centre the bird was showing really well down to about 30m when I arrived back to the Observatory Hide.
I took a series of photos of this vagrant from North America together with some of a small party of Black-tailed Godwits and was really pleased with the images that I came away with.
I've seen three previous L-b Dowitchers in this country but they have either been in juvenile or winter plumage, this specimen still retaining summer plumage is something special.
The 'Cardiff Birders' were enjoying a day out and duly arrived at the hide and it was good to catch up and chat with Phil Bristow, 'Jake' Gilmore, Mike Powell and Judd Hunt who were moving on to Burry Port for terns after leaving Llanelli.
I hung about for another 30mins or so but with the Dowitcher not coming any closer I decided to head for home, what a fabulous morning out.
