Waders at RSPB Snettisham

Friday evening at Snettisham should have seen a 'Wader Spectacular' when thousands of waders roosting on the mud in the Ouse Estuary are driven off by a spring high tide and form murmurations etc. Because of the strong onshore wind and the very high tide, this did not happen - the waders appeared able to anticipate this happening and went straight to roost on the gravel pits behind the beach in 'spectacular' numbers. Lots of species seen Knot, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Common and Sandwich Terns, Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls, Egyptian Goose here plus an extra inquisitive Hare. Also recorded Spotted Redshank, Spoonbill, Avocet, Egret, Cormorants, Lapwing,  Greylag and Canada Goose, Herring and Common Gull

Birds on Brownsea Island

We visited Brownsea Island yesterday on a bright sunny day but with a very strong northerly wind. Red Squirrels were sheltering and were not seen but the hides over the lagoon produced some sightings including Greyshank and Redshank, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. The Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls (black heads and no black on primaries) were beginning to pair up. Most exciting view was of a Peregrine repeatedly flying at the flocks of waders.

Waders and Wildfowl at Welney

One of the most spectacular sights at Welney are the large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings that rest of the islands on the wash, taking to the air every time a Marsh Harrier or other raptor passed overhead.