Killdeer on my Life List.

Thursday 22nd January 2026.

My first ever Killdeer. Yes, the bird was very distant and I had my camera on its highest zoom and there are far better photos out there from other birders. But what a cracking bird it was through the scope.

After around 50 years of birding, Killdeer is finally on my Life List. This is one species that I have dreamed of seeing throughout my lifetime and at last, I had the opportunity of seeing one in Hampshire (just!) too. It was discovered yesterday by one very lucky and observant birder yesterday morning and so the race had begun for everyone to get down to Ripley Farm Reservoir to view this American superstar. 

Another photo of the distant Killdeer being flanked by a Shelduck and a Moorhen on the embankment on the opposite side of the Reservoir.

Lucky for me, I had a 5 hour window between shifts at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, today and birding pal Andy Fisher asked me last night if I would like to go down for the bird the following day should it still be there. When I arrived at Pembroke Road at 8am this morning, the report flashed that the Killdeer was still present at the same site and so Andy met me at my house to take the 45 mile drive to the Reservoir. Despite a lot of rain on the way there, lucky for us, the rain had stopped on arrival at Anna Lane and carefully parking up on the side of the road, we walked the 150 yards or so to where a group of birders were watching from.

My film footage of the Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir this morning. Please excuse the fella yapping in the background. I couldn't get him to shut up!

Joining the small throng of Birders, one kind chap let me look through his scope to view my first ever Killdeer that was sat down on the ground near some Shelduck on the opposite bank of the small Reservoir. I quickly got my scope on the bird as it swivelled its head a few times so I could check out its large chunky bill. Looking like a Ringed Plover on steroids at first, I was hoping the bird would show itself fully and show off that superb double band on its breast. I didn't have to wait too long. Apparently, before we arrived, the bird took flight due to a Sparrowhawk passing close by, but, thankfully, returned to the same spot. Phew!

Three Grey Herons were by the waters edge with plenty of wildfowl on the Reservoir and the foreshore.

Eventually, the Killdeer got up and slowly walked for a while and so I grabbed as many decent photos and film footage as possible. A couple of Birders joined us and I tried to help them get on the bird, but it had disappeared behind the ridge again and eventually, it popped its head up to the relief of the recently arrived Birders. Happy with my ‘Lifer, Hampshire first and year-tick’, I had a quick look around the Reservoir to check what else could be around. While I think of it, the site was also a ‘site tick’ too!

Above, Wigeon and Shoveler on the Reservoir and below, a small flock of Shoveler.

Here, there was a variety of wildfowl including Shelduck, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal and Mallard on the water and also resting on the embankment, with a pair of both Grey Lag and Egyptian Geese present nearby also. Up to three Grey Herons were standing by the waters edge which rounded off a very successful ‘twitch’ in Hampshire. There was a good number of Birders present, around 40 individuals, though most had found a closer view further west down the track, but I was more than happy with what I saw today. Yes, the Killdeer was distant and I could have stayed a bit longer, but I only had a short window to see the bird and so made my way back home after an hour or so, thoroughly pleased with myself in seeing one of my most sought after birds. Even as I am writing this, I still have to pinch myself that I have actually seen one!

Above, a far better photo of the Killdeer. Photo by Andy Tew. Below, I was somewhat ecstatic to say the least!