Farlington Marsh

Thursday 14 November

Resting Redshank Tringa totanus along with both Wigeon Anas penelope and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Dry and calm with occasional warn sunshine for my mid-morning visit to take an anti-clockwise walk round Farlington Marshes so coming t the main mudflats to try and coincide with the outgoing tide and chance to see more waders. Passing the high water as I entered the narrow lane to the parking area over eighty Brent Geese on the water to my right and then, once parked, an introductory walk towards the mudflats before bearing left through the grass and bushes towards the far end of the water near the old barn.  As I moved through this area a number of Woodpigeons and Magpies and then, on reaching the river, the first Little Egret of the morning followed by two score Coot, a small number of Wigeon and Teal plus a quartet of Pintail.  A Stonechat was sat atop a small tree and ahead of me both a Carrion Crow and a Starling. A dozen Cormorants took off from the river and a female Kestrel flew past my front.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Reaching the old barn, the water behind held a quartet of Gadwall, more Coot and a couple of Moorhen.  A lone Greenfinch flew in atop one of the neighbouring trees and, as I left the resting area, a Snipe flew over and disappeared into the far reeds.  More Little Egrets were noted along with a passing Herring Gull.  Moving on up the track to the sea wall a Blackbird in the hedgerow and then, once on the sea wall and the tide still quite high, the first flock of Brent Geese totalling about sixty individuals on both the water and banks. Both Blackbird and Dunnock as I walked on towards the Deeps with large flocks of Canada and amore Brent Geese on the fields to the right along with a few foraging Woodpigeon.

Resting Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Wigeons Anas penelope

Once at the Deeps a good collection of Shoveler and at least fifty resting Shelduck.  A pair of Pintail and a Little Grebe resting in the lee of the nearest island a a Curlew walked round the edge.  In amongst the ducks also a good number of Wigeon.  Away to my left a Raven was being harried by a female Kestrel and even further away the final flock of Canada Geese also included the adopted white goose and its Barnacle Goose friend.

Pintail Anas acuta

Continuing round the corner past a small group of Brent Geese a Linnet crossed the track followed by a pair of Pied Wagtails.  Approaching the entrance to the path that cuts off the corner when travelling in the opposite direction, I stopped as a pair of Water Pipits put in an appearance ahead of me and whereas one made a hasty departure the second posed on top of the post before following its partner into the bushes below on the right.  No sooner had I has then another pair of Pied Wagtails on the track ahead and a single Meadow Pipit.  Away to my right resting on a post at the back of the inland water a Buzzard.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

Finally reaching the viewing point it was now obvious that the tide had yet to reveal the mudflats but a male Kestrel crossed the sea wall and landed atop a gate at the entrance to the lower field.  Away at the left of the water a very large collection of resting Wigeon along with many Teal, Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.  Closer inspection revealed that there were not only scores of redwing but also a single Greenshank.  Above the reeds a quartering Marsh Harrier.  In front of me on the open water to my right a pair of feeding Great Crested Grebes.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Finally, approaching the end of the walk a large island had now appeared on my left in the shallow water on which rested a further score of Brent Geese and a couple of Back-headed Gulls.  below me on the hedge a Stonechat followed by the arrival of a pair of Meadow Pipits.  An enjoyable walk which finally produced 43 species.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal,  Pintail, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Stonechat, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis (front)

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Buzzard Buteo burteo

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Heron Ardea cinerea

Wigeon Anas penelope with Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Teal Anas crecca

Mainly resting Wigeon Anas penelope

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