Farlington Marshes

Friday 21 August

Back to lovely sunshine and almost clear blue skies with just a very gentle breeze as collected by friends Richard Osman and Adrian Enzner, we set off for a morning at Farlington Marshes with the tide already half-way out. Driving down the lane to our far end parking spot both Starling and Carrion Crow on the lamp posts and no sooner underway than both Robin and Woodpigeon recorded.

Onwards to the viewing platform overlooking the lake and noted a Great Tit in the trees to our left and a Common Sandpiper on the small pond with Adrian also noting the overflying Rook.  As we approached the sea wall many Black-headed and Herring Gulls along with five Curlew, a quartet of Oystercatchers and a Little Egret on the harbour mud flats but just a single Lapwing and seven Shelduck on the lake.

Having also seen a score of Canada Geese at the water's edge in the harbour we then made our way back to the steps and access to the field path towards the river.  Here we found scores of Canada Geese and and almost as many Mallard.  In the neighbouring hedge at least seven Linnets and a pair of Magpie.  Fifteen Black-tailed Godwits and a lone Avocet also resting alongside the many geese. Continuing on we cam across a small charm of Goldfinches and both Adrian and Richard saw a pair of Blackbirds.

Once at the old barn and looking back at the lagoon we found no less than 61 resting Redshank along with a score of Lapwing plus both Coot and Moorhen.  A single Black-tailed Godwit was feeding close to the fence in front of the seat and was still present when we return less than an hour later.  A Dunnock had been recorded along with a pair of Whitethroats as we reached the end of the field and whilst at the lagoon observed at least six Barn Swallows.  Overhead, a pair of circling Buzzards.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

As we moved on towards the eastern sea wall, we stopped to watch the steers being examined and inoculated which also gave us chance to see the three Cattle Egrets depart from the area.  By the time we reached the turn in the path we had closer views of the Cattle Egrets.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Once on the sea wall we walked on to the Deeps but, stopping at the seat for a rest and drink, watched as a pair of Bullfinches flew past along the arrow valley between the brambles and meadow.  On the sea side at very low water we found more Canada Geese plus both a Heron and a few distant waders.  The Deeps proved very disappointing with hardly any water to be seen and the only bird being a single Pied Wagtail.

Returning the same way back to the lagoon, as mentioned above the Black-tailed Godwit was still feeding in exactly the same position and more Lapwings had arrived to join the other resting birds.  Above a Swift arrived to make the final tally for the morning 34 species.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Swift, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch.

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