American Duo Still Present

I visited Frankfield Loch again yesterday (9 September 2013) with two friends who had never been before. Whilst we quickly saw a Ruff, 3 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover there was, initially, no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper or Blue-winged Teal. I therefore decided to count the Lapwing flock ending up with an estimate of c.315 birds - an impressive count these days. I also counted 10 Shoveler and 7 Snipe.  

Whilst undertaking these systematic counts and after c 45 minutes, I eventually found the Blue-winged Teal hidden amongst the dead trees on the western-most edge of the loch. A further 45 minutes later, around noon, the Pectoral Sandpiper appeared from nowhere! Both these sightings made a gentleman from Alloa very, very happy! Other birders arrived from Edinburgh and Glasgow southside and they also enjoyed views of both birds. It was also good to talk to various builders/delivery drivers who all appeared genuinely interested in the fact that two 'rare' birds had turned up at the loch.

In addition to the birds mentioned we also saw a Water Rail and a few Swallows passed overhead on their long migration south.

Yet another photo of the loch taken today follows.....

 

If you look really closely you can convince yourself that there is a Ruff, Dunlin and Lapwing in the picture!

 

The area of mud seems to be increasing, so don't be surprised if even more waders turn up.