Sunday 14 January 2024

14th January 2024

Weather:  NW force 2      rain showers

A brief before the tide visit was made with the hope of reconnecting with the Slavonian Grebe of the last 2 days, however it did not show, possibly as it had appeared after the tide of both previous visits. Some compensation how ever was a male Goldeneye out distantly off the west hoyle, while also swimming off the channel there were a number of Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 male and 3 female. A single drake Eider was in the east gutter as the tide flooded.

 

 

To complete the duck for the morning were a pair of Common Scoter near the island.

  Most of the 350 or so Brent were scattered west of the islands.

The Kestrel was here again and a Peregrine made a sudden appearance flushing the waders in the gutter and even some of the Brent were startled.

  It then settled on the east hoyle sands for some time. 

There were 120 Bar-tailed Godwit, but they were distant, also a Grey Plover, 3 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin and 3 Purple Sandpiper on the shore. A few Wrens called, 4 Blackbirds and 3 Robins were present and a couple of Rock Pipits seen, one on each of the main islands. On return to the marine lake the usual waders, mostly Redshank, Knot and Turnstones were resting on the pontoon.

Turnstones have recently taken to feeding on the new promenade, giving close views to visitors, one was even seen last week walking under the cash machines outside Morrisons !


 Photos AEH 

No comments: