Hudwit Fever...

This is the reason Dave couldn't wait to get back. Unbelievably, after a 27 year gap since the last one, an adult Hudsonian Godwit (Hudwit) was found on Meare Heath scrape with a flock of Black-tailed Godwits! This is only the third time this species has been seen in the UK and was a major 'blocker' on most birder's lists. I was fortunate enough to see the first bird, also an adult, way back in 1981 when it graced a river bank at Countess Wear near Exeter in Devon and have seen them many times in Canada. As such, I didn't race out to see it although I did catch up with it at the end of this week and a cracking bird it is too.

Hudsonian Godwit, adult female: D. Helliar

Hudsonian Godwit, Meare Heath: D. Helliar

Hudsonian Godwit, Meare Heath: D. Helliar

And just a part of the crowd that have been flocking to see this rare American wader:

Hudwit twitchers: D. Helliar

And a short piece of video from me - taken in very windy conditions at distance so not my best work (even though it was on a tripod), but at least you can see what it is:

Hudsonian Godwit: R. Harris

Nice to see such a rare bird so close to home and congratulations to the finder Tom Raven - his heart beat must have gone through the roof when he realised what he had found.

Even closer to home - a few more butterflies seen by Dave this week:

Holly Blue: D. Helliar

Dingy Skipper: D. Helliar