Highlights this morning, 314 Golden Plover were roosting on Flat Beach. A Sandwich Tern and 24 Mediterranean Gull were at Ternery Pool. 4 Avocet were on the news pools on Harbour Farm. 112 Knot, 180 Dunlin, 133 Oystercatcher and 21 Grey Plover were feeding along the shore. On Long Pit 4 Goldeneye (2 drakes), Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver and a Green Sandpiper. The Common Seal was also present at the River Mouth.
Drake Goldeneye at Long Pit
Since the post written a few days ago, several people have asked me how the Water Vole enters the shelter which is positioned on top of the raft……. The entrance to the nest chamber is reached via a ramp which reaches down into the water and can only be accessed from underneath the raft…… I must add that when I realised the nest chamber was occupied (by the appearance of a sleepy looking Water Vole from its nest) the lid was replaced immediately. This morning fresh signs of occupation were left on the raft in the form of fresh droppings and the remains of a meal (common reed), which has been cut at a charactereristic 45 degree angle and has grooved teeth marks at the ends.
