Sightings

Main sighting: Canada Geese

128 Canada Geese in front of the first hide at 8:00 am noisily honking as many took off in a large skein. 6 Curlew, 11 Shovelers in eclipse plumage and 8 Shelduck similar. One Greylag. One Great Black Backed Gull juvenile, small number of Black-Headed Gulls, 3 Little Egrets. 3 Kestrel over by the sea wall, ‘Bosprey’ on the end of the fence to the right of the hide, at high tide mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers.

Main sighting: Shelduck

On the morning tide: 262 Shelduck, 137 Mallard, 124 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 57 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 71 Dunlin, 63 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone, 4 Lgrt, Heron, Cormorant.

Main sighting: House Martins

At least 50 House Martins swooping up to the eaves and sitting on the gutters of our house this morning, imprinting for next year. The number is surprising as most pairs which attempted nest-building were evicted by House Sparrows and only one pair was known to be successful.

Main sighting: Male and Female Bullfinches

Pair of Bullfinch seen eating flower heads at far end of the park

Main sighting: Snipe Platform extension

A big thank you to Brian Thomas, John Bennet and Alan Dowson who turned up at very short notice to work on the Snipe platform extension. Along with myself Tom and Kevin we managed to finish most of the work. It just remains to put the brash in place which is to be done Thursday. The platform can now be used-enjoy.

Main sighting: Curlew

Late evening visit at high tide and dusk.Distributed between Monks and Becs, 400c Curlew, 112 Oystercatchers, 300+ Black Headed Gulls. 40c Dunlin and 50+ Shelduck. Priors – 300c Black Tailed Godwits, 12 Knot, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Mute swans and Black Swan. Notably on Becs a single Ruff feeding on the mud. Small flock of Ringed Plovers. Tide was high tonight and seemed to push a lot in.

Main sighting: Turnstone

3 turnstone, 150 dunlin, 100 ringed plover, 1 grey plover, c70 blackwit (over pill), juv peregrine, 2 yellow wags, 16 curlew the highlights of high tide

Main sighting: Spoonbill

Am: Prior’s: Spoonbill, snipe

Main sighting: Glossy Ibis

Late evening visit. Glossy Ibis showing regularly on Becs Lagoon and then roosting on Priors Lagoon. Most of the birds on Becs. Big flock of Ringed Plovers/Dunlins. Large flock of Black Headed Gulls with a a few Lesser and Great Black Backed Gull. 4 x Little Egrets. Snipe seen on Becs. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and “Bosprey” the Buzzard. No Godwits. Overall Q for high tide.

Main sighting: Extension to Snipe platform

Work began today on the extension to the Snipe platform. We made great progress but it is not ready yet the however, the platform can still be used. It is hope that, weather permitting, work on the platform will be completed next week, if not before. Big thank you to Tom Kevin and all FoGal members who turned up today and worked really hard.

Main sighting: Great Blackback Gull

2 on water near dam at 16:30. (My wife and I have been visiting the cafe once or twice a week for the last 2 or 3 years. This is the first time we have been lucky enough to see this species there.)

Main sighting: Great White Egret

A pair of Great White Egrets, challenging to record as under a big black cloud and it’s started to blow a gale. Other birds as per.