A Lesser Yellowlegs at Etton

15th October 2025

A Lesser Yellowlegs had been reported at the quarries at Etton for some time now, so time for a visit. Unfortunately as we were approaching the area on the A1 there had been no reports of the bird so it was decided to divert to the Egleton Reserve at Rutland Water.

Fairly quiet as you would expect as this time of year, particulaely with mild weather, but it was nice to see so many winter duck already arrived but many still to emerge from their eclipse plumage. Here is a trio of Wigeon.

There were also a couple of Curlews feeding on the mud, with this one being particularly close in front of the hide.

Just 20 years ago Great White Egrets were quite rare and would attract lots of birders. Now they have colonised the UK in numbers and can be seen virtually everywhere.

Nevertheless, still a fantastic bird to see.

And this is a female Gadwall having a bath.

And when they have a bath, they really have a bath.

They have to ensure that every feather is soaked before the preening can commence.

And as tradition has it, always followed by a stand-up in the water for a wing-flap to dry off the wings.

But the bonus today was an air display by a juvenile Marsh Harrier.

After a few laps of the marsh it settled for a rest.................

.......................and looked at me to see what all the fuss was about.

At that point it was reported that the Lesser Yellowlegs was still on Rectory Pit at Etton so a half hour drive to try our luck. The directions to the pit were very good, but once there you were confronted by an enormous pit with a multitude of islands, so just a matter of settling down and scanning and more scanning. I eventually found two waders, a Ringed Plover..............and a Lesser Yellowlegs.

The yellowlegs was a bit distant, estimated as about 150 yards, but the good news was that it was overcast otherwise the bird would have been into the sun. These are the shots I managed to get.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together....................eventually!!!!