Farlington Marshes

Wednesday 7 August 

A pleasant, warm start to the day but upon reaching Farlington Marshes just after 9 I discovered that there was a rather keen westerly breeze blowing in.  Not top worry as I set off to complete and anti-clockwise circuit of the reserve including the usual diversion on the return walk to take me through the meadow back up to the entrance track almost at the viewing point.  Good job I did as I managed to find both one of the visiting Greenshank and a Whimbrel to add to the dozen Curlew previously seen.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Woodpigeon and Greenfinch recorded before reaching the seawall and then, looking out over the mud flats at low tide, lots of Black-headed and a handful of Herring Gulls.  Also present a handful of Curlew and a single Redshank.  As I approached the viewing point overlooking the "lake" a Kestrel was hovering above the path in front of me and once a the seats over thirty Black-tailed Godwits feeding at the water's edge along with a few Redshank, a trio of Cormorant and a couple of lapwing.  Scoping the area, I soon added a number of Coot along with a single Great Crested Grebe before finding the distant flock of 80 plus Dunlin.  Close to the Dunlins at least four Lapwing.  Meanwhile, a party of approximately 50 Starling seen flying over the  trees I had just passed through and, hiding in the reeds on the far side of the lake, my first of four Herons recorded during the morning.  At this point I also picked up the Buzzard resting on the fence post beyond the reeds.  Somewhat strange to find a nearby Magpie but beyond the Buzzard a score of resting Canada Geese on the open meadow.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

As I moved on and round the first corner a Little Egret flew in towards the water and then, up ahead on the wall, a Carrion Crow.  No sooner had I reached this point than I noticed three more Carrion Crows in the meadow to the left.  Two more Heron were added as I continued on and, finally, my first Oystercatcher of the morning along with yet more Curlew.  Arriving a the southernmost point of the wall as I turned inland I happened on the very distant Grey Plover out at the water's edge and, even at this distance, could see the handsome summer plumage.

Very distant record shot of Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Moving on towards the Deeps a couple of Barn Swallows flew across but nothing to record on the relatively new creation other than a lone Black-headed Gull. Away in the background just beyond the handful of beasts, a group of seven Little Egrets and, a little later on, I was to find two more groups of five individuals as well as the occasional other odd Little Egret.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Approaching the lagoon near the "Visitors Centre" I stopped to admire the small number of feeding butterflies, mainly Common Blues and Gatekeepers.  A flock of approximately twenty Barn Swallows was feeding over the field next to the reeds left of the above VC and once at the seats and resting to check out the wildfowl, I also heard and saw both Reed Warbler and a couple of Bearded Tits.  On the water itself at least a score of Mallard along with a pair of Gadwall and two well-grown juvenile Shelduck. Three more Heron were recorded at this site and, retuning to the water, perhaps a score of Coot plus a couple of Little Grebe.  But not a single Moorhen seen.

Juvenile Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Time to return to the car but taking the path trough the meadow back towards the viewing point as previously stated.  Lots more Coot and, especially, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls plus two more Little Grebe.  Once back up on the seawall track, a second search of the lake produced a single Greenshank whilst on that little mud left exposed produced the single whimbrel to be seen during the morning.  Finally, whilst putting everything away in readiness to depart a pair of Raven flew over car.  Good way to end the morning's session.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Reed Warbler, Bearded Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Greenfinch.

Common Blue Polyommatus icarus butterfly

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus butterfly

Little Egrets Egretta garzetta with
  Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Little Egret E.garzetta (front) with Coot Fulica atra and juvenile Shelduck T.tadorna

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