Over the past few days, Storm Ali has swept gale force winds and torrential rain and weather across the south coast of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, bringing a fine selection of seabirds blown close inshore. Many Grey Phalaropes have turned up in sheltered harbours and inlets at many locations right along the south coast with over 100+ reported over the past two days.
Two Grey Phalarope were showing extremely well close in off the Cobb wall this morning and were joined by a 3rd bird that dropped in briefly further out at sea.
These stunning scarce autumn waders should be miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, rarely coming close to land (Normally high Arctic Circle, on breeding grounds), have been blown into Lyme Bay to seek shelter from the rough seas. Once the weather calms down, these tiny delightful, exquisite autumn waders will be making their way to winter out in the open Atlantic Ocean off Western Africa before returning to Arctic Norway to breed in Spring. A real privilege to see several close up again this year and watch them at close quarters. With these strong South-westerly winds coming across the from North America, it's only time that a few mega rare American waders and chance of a few passerines make it to Dorset and Devon coastline in the coming 24hours. Watch this space..................
