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Normandy Lagoon © Richard
Smith |
On a mild, and partly cloudy morning, with a moderate south-westerly blowing, a group of us set off from Maiden Lane, after meeting at the earlier time of 09:00. We walked beside the 8 Acre Pond out onto the sea wall. With low water at 07:35, there was still an exposed inter-tidal zone in Maiden Dock containing several species of wader busily feeding. Amongst these we noted Little Egret, Dunlin, both Ringed and Grey Plover, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. A Grey Heron stood at the edge of the 8 Acre Pond and a Sparrowhawk flew over the houses on Maiden Lane before disappearing behind the trees. Small family groups of Dark-bellied Brent Geese swam in the channels of Oxey Lake and some juvenile birds were identified amongst them.
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Grey Heron © Andy Skarstein |
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| Stonechat © Andy Skarstein |
We walked round to the West bank of Normandy Lagoon, and looking back at the Dock, a Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were added to our growing list. On the lagoon we saw more Greenshank, and the ever-present Canada Geese. Amongst the Lapwing, were also Teal, Wigeon and Little Grebe along with Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on the scrapes. Dunnock and a confiding Stonechat were found in the brambles beside the lagoon where a Dartford Warbler was also seen briefly.
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| Little Grebe © Chris Robinson |
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| Wigeon - drake in eclipse plumage © Chris Robinson |
Walking back towards Oxey Lake, we saw Cormorant and several Little Grebes, one in breeding plumage, on the 8 Acre Pond and a flock of Linnet nearby. At Salterns Marsh we found Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Redshank and a male Kingfisher showed well, perching on the bushes and fencing beside the water. Out to sea were four Great-crested Grebes whilst two small groups of Turnstone explored the exposed margins around the sea wall. Looking back over Oxey Lagoon, a distant Kestrel was spotted hunting over the marsh.
Common Redshank © Chris Robinson
As we
returned across Oxey Marsh towards Moses Dock, a pair of Greenfinch were seen
in the scrub. On this unusually mild late October day, we noted the unseasonal
late flowering of Blackberry and Hawthorn beside the path and Sea Aster
nearby.
Back at Salterns Marsh, we were treated to good, but intermittent views of a Water Rail as it moved around in and out of the reeds bordering the pond. Moorhen and Coot were added to our list here and as a finale, a Peregrine was spotted flying over Normandy Lagoon.
Black-headed Gull having a scratch © Andy Skarstein
We were
wrong, there was more to come as we got back to the cars at Maiden Lane. In a
single tree by the road we saw Blue, Coal and Long-tailed Tits, a Nuthatch and
good views of a pair of Goldcrest for good measure! Finally, a Buzzard flew up
into the pine trees pursued by a Magpie and with that, we called it a day,
having enjoyed the best of the weather on this 3 hour excursion. RS
© Richard
Smith