Farlington Marsh

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Friday 12 April

The rains have stopped and it promises to be a dry day with warm sunshine later on.  So away early to coincide with the low tide and arrived at Farlington Marshes just after 8 o'clock.  As expected, dry with a little cloud and hazy sunshine albeit still a keen, light wind.  Once into walking boots and having noted the nearby Greenfinches and Woodpigeons I set off to do an anti-clockwise circuit of the reserve. making my way to the "Visitors Centre" a couple of Blackbirds noted and many Black-headed Gull on the lagoon to my right in front of the above VC.  However, the sign was correct when it referred to flooded paths as it was impossible to proceed any further with the water across the track from the lakes on both side and, speaking to a local birder later on, I was informed that the far end of the track was under three feet of water so definitely over the top of my walking boots!

Flooded path and only just possible to reach the viewing point so many problems for the Bearded Tits!

Time to take stock of the bird life in the area and in addition to the scores of Black-headed Gulls a few Coot and a couple of Moorhen. One resting whilst a second Heron flew away over my head quickly followed by a Shelduck.  Rather than retrace my steps all the way back to the car park I took the path, noting the pair of Goldfinch on the ground in front of me, past the young heifers through the meadow until that, too, proved impassable so made a circuitous way to the inland track alongside the seawall.  On the way I observed a couple of Mediterranean Gulls plus Robin, Lapwing and Carrion Crows.  Meanwhile, above the reed bed on the opposite bank a quartering Marsh Harrier was a great sight.  Finally, lovely to record Linnet, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Magpie before a cock Pheasant just before clearing the meadow.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Once back on the main track I stopped at the viewing point and added more Coot plus both Mute Swan and Mallards.  On the mud banks to my right a couple of foraging Curlew and then a pair of gadwall.  A number of Canada Geese could be seen on the far side of the lagoon plus a good number of Lapwing.  At the edge of the lagoon a handful of resting Redshank plus a similar number of Black-tailed Godwits whilst a dozen Starling rested in a nearby large bush.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

 Nearer to me on the opposite of the parallel stream a pair of Oystercatchers and on the mudflats to the right a couple of Herring Gull. Continuing on I recorded three Meadow Pipits on or near the track and the, approaching the Deeps, the only Little Egret of the morning compared to the seven Grey Herons.

Most of the Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Once at the Deeps time for a short rest before starting on the return walk back to the car and chance to observe the hundred of Black-headed Gulls.  However, one of the three new gravel islands held at least 24 Mediterranean Gulls.  Also present a number of Shelduck and Tufted Ducks plus a few more Gadwall and Mallards.  However, biggest surprise was to find four Brent Geese yet to depart on their migration north.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

More sightings of Lapwing, Shelduck, Meadow Pipit and Redshank as I walked back but nearing the last turning o head inland towards the car park I noted the photographer in front focusing on the clouds.  What had he seen / been watching?   Bins up and, yes, a passing Peregrine Falcon that had put up scores of Back-headed Gulls.  What a choice for last bird of the day.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Back-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with an over-flying Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

The overflowing lagoon

The Deeps with its new gravel islands to attract breeding birds

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