RXwildlife Sightings

Much colder this morning with the breeze coming more or less from the north or slightly north east direction, the tide was high, and the sea looked much calmer than it has been lately. The pools were alive with up to 400-500 dabbling ducks, with good numbers of Wigeon,Shoveler,Teal,Gadwall and Mallard, with Wigeon, Teal, and Shoveler being the most numerous, in that order. Also the first Tufted Ducks and Little Grebes l’ve seen since the water level came back to normal. On the sea there was a nice drake Goldeneye diving a stones throw off the beach, only 3 Common Scoter in the bay , along with 5 G.C.Grebe quite close together, later on in the morning there was 3 R.T.Divers, 1 BL.T.Diver and 1Goosander all heading east. On the marsh there are still good numbers of waders with Lapwing, Curlew making up most of the numbers, other waders seen 1 BL.T.Godwit, Golden Plovers, with Grey Plovers, Dunlin, Turnstones on the beach side. Only one Marsh Harrier ( cream head) and a single Raven over the pools. Good bird watching Pete. Merry Christmas!

With the arrival of colder air the bird community in the Victorian gardens outside my flat window has been galvanised into activity. But what is also apparent after living here for three years is that the trees themselves take on a new significance at this time. The Limes and Horse Chestnuts are slowly growing their winter buds and at this time in the season the apparently bare branches take on a new attraction for some birds. This morning three Blackcaps appeared in the Limes and as in the previous winters they have been spending a lot of time gleaning from the buds of these trees. Read the rest of this entry »

Highlights this morning included a Scaup on Ternery Pool, five Goldeneye (three on Long Pit, including a drake, and two on Harbour Farm) and a couple of Avocet on the Quarry. In addition, the Merlin was again sighted over Flat Beach Level mid-morning, while two Rock Pipit were seen on the saltmarsh next to Lime Kiln Cottage.