Snettisham Waders

Saturday's trip to watch the Wader flocks produced some great views of Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits landing in the gravel pits as high tide approached. The beach murmurations were relatively small and the light direction resulted in a lot of haze so these are all taken from the hides around the pits. Mediterranean Gull joined the Black-headed Gulls (with youngster) and several Egyptian Geese and Avocets tried to claim a position.

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

Spoonbills at Snettisham

Great excitement to see a Spoobill very close at Snettisham even if it was asleep only waking occasionally. Later, an adult flew in and immediately the youngster started begging for food. Eventually, the adult allowed the young spoonbill to put its beak right inside the gullet and retrieve food. It continued to beg but the adult flew off to join other spoonbills (9 in all) and it followed. Not the easiest to photograph as difficult lighting with the sun coming out occasionally but a great sightings.

 

Waders from Our North Norfolk Trip

Athough not quite wader migration peak time yet, there were plenty of waders around. Some were still in summer plumage and some already moulted to the winter costumes. The Black-tailed Godwits were mixed flocks of summer and winter plumage. Other species here - Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Oyster Catcher, Lapwing and Avocet. Adult moulting and juvenile Black-headed Gull complete the set.

 

 

 

Wader Spectacular at Snettisham RSPB

In contrast to Wednesday, yesterday was a beautiful day on the North Norfolk coast. We started the day with the Wader Spectacular at Snettisham. As it was a high Spring tide, the waders get forced of the mud in twirling clouds. The bands of different waders are intriguing as are the shapes that the masses of Knot, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwits etc made  - it appeared at one stage as a huge bird that gracefully took to the sky. Eventually when the mud is submerged they travel over the heads of watching birdwatchers and land on small islands in the gravel pits behind the sea wall. The light was too contrasty in that direction for much photography so we returned along the shore viewing various waders en route (another entry!)