Farlington Marsh

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Thursday 9 October 

With the promise of a still, cloudless day and warm sunshine, I made sure that I was at Farlington Marshes for a 92.0 start on an anti-clockwise circuit along the sea wall with the tide only two hours in after turning to reclaim the mudflats.  No sooner walking through the spinney next to the car park and I immediately came across Robin, Goldfinch, Blue Tit and Stonechat. Next up were the passing Woodpigeons and Carrion Crows before checking the muddy shore to sort  a few Herring from the many Black-headed Gulls. Also present a large Lapwing roost along with a number of Starlings and a few Mallard.  At least three Curlew noted before moving on to the viewing point overlooking the inland lake and the narrow "river" stretching out towards the main water.

A few of the roosting Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

On the river a large, mixed gathering of Wigeon and Pintail and at the end a quintet of Brent Geese newly arrived for their winter holiday.   A Little Egret was patiently resting on the bank alongside the river.

4 of the 5 Brent Geese Branta bernicla

On the lake a large gathering of mainly Back-tailed but also a single Bar-tailed, Godwits and Redshanks.  Diligent searching also produced a couple of Avocet and as many as five Dunlin.  In the near left-hand corner a score  or more resting Teal.  Also present a half-dozen Shelduck and far off to the left a single Heron.  A Skylark appeared overhead and then, on the ground just beyond the far fence posts playing host to a number of Carrion Crows, what looked like a resting Buzzard.  But within moments it raised itself and flew off revealing itself to be a handsome Peregrine Falcon.

A mixture of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and Redshanks Tringa totanus

Time to move on and once round the first corner a stop to watch both a Stonechat and a handful of Meadow Pipits.  In the distance I was able to pick out a resting Kestrel on a far post.  Further along the path I took the cut-off through the field with its small hedges and recorded both Blackbird, another Stonechat and more Meadow Pipits.  It was at the end of this path where I returned to the sea wall that I came across a number of foraging Chiffchaff, Great Crested Grebe on the open water and both Cetti's Warbler and passing Linnets.  Even a female House Sparrow put in an appearance.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Once at the "Deeps" a handful of Shoveler, a few resting Mallard and 13 resting Little Egret plus another couple of Heron.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Just before leaving the sea wall to take the track to the old barn, a mixed group of Grey Plover and Dunlin on the edge of the distant land and a passing Cormorant.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

A mix of Dunlin Calidris alpina and Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Approaching the old barn a Buzzard in the sky above and a Pied Wagtail on the track in front whereas the heifers in the field to the left had attracted a quartet of Cattle Egrets and then I was at the seat overlooking the small pool at the end of the river.  A good number of Canada Geese along with Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Lapwing, Redshank, Coot and a Moorhen.  So ended a very enjoyable three hour walk with a final total, once again, of 45 species.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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