We gathered at the
end of Maiden Lane under grey skies, and a moderate to strong southerly breeze
driving a few spots of rain. A small group Goldfinches foraged in the trees
above us. Stopping at the northerly end of Normandy Lagoon, several
Mediterranean Gulls flew above us, their characteristic call and appearance
distinguishing them from the Black-headed Gulls also present, some now bearing
quite pronounced black heads.
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| Adult Mediterranean Gull © Chris Robinson |
Approaching the
lagoon, a group of Avocets fed and flew up from time to time. Feeding or roosting
nearby, we noted Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Canada Geese, Black-tailed Godwit,
Lapwing, a few Ringed Plover and Redshank along with a couple of Greenshank
feeding. Given the strength and chill of the
wind, we decided to walk around Normandy lagoon with the wind at our backs.
Brent Geese flew in over us and large groups of roosting Dunlin were mixed with
a few Turnstones and more Back-tailed Godwits.
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| Avocets in flight © Chris Robinson |
Pausing to
look out to sea, a large group of Oystercatchers was seen towards Aden Bank,
along with Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Further offshore, a couple of
Cormorants aired their wings, and on the lagoon, a solitary Little Egret, which
turned out to not be the colour ringed oldie we had hoped for! Chris spotted a
distant, and solitary female Tufted Duck as well as a single Great Crested
Grebe feeding mid-channel.
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| Brent Geese on final approach © Chris Robinson |
Grateful
to be out of the wind, we walked back towards the boatyard and watched Curlew
feeding in the fields along with Woodpigeon and a pair of Skylark briefly
perched on the fence. Further on, we found female Pheasant, Starling, Meadow
Pipit, Mallard and Moorhen. A distant Mistle Thrush sat up high on top of some
scrub and amongst the reeds we had good views of a male Reed Bunting and a
Greenfinch.
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| Curlew © Chris Robinson |
In the
trees bordering Normandy Lane, were Hedge Sparrow, Great Tit, Robin, Chaffinch
and a Green Woodpecker was heard but not seen. Thanks to Maureen who pointed out
a small colourful patch of Sweet Violets growing in the verge. We also found
the rather invasive Winter Heliotrope as well as Butcher’s Broom growing
nearby. The adjacent fields held more Curlew feeding, along with Jackdaw,
Carrion Crow, Stock Dove and three Roe Deer.
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| Roe Deer © Chris Robinson |
