Farlington Marsh

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

 Sunday 15 June

Another lovely sunny start to the day so off early down to Farlington Marsh to start my circuit just before 8.15.  Walking anti-clockwise through the trees immediately many Greenfinches along with a Kestrel, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow.  Once out of the seawall to walk to the viewing point I added Herring Gulls and took note of the many Avocets and Shelduck on the lagoon, both with many juveniles of the year.  Also present a handful of Redshank and in the reeds to the left alongside the canal separating the water from the grazing field many calling Reed Warblers.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

On the far side in addition to a few Lapwing a first sight of the many Canada Geese residing in this reserve then noticed up to a score of Swifts flying very low over the fields alongside the river.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Returning a short distance I took the path trough the grazing field, complete with young cattle, to the old barn and noted not only the Reed Warblers but many Starling and a few Barn Swallows.  A pair of Magpies were resting in a short tree ahead of me and near the main bushes a cock Pheasant.  In addition to now coming across the resident Black-headed Gulls I also found a single Black-tailed Godwit at the river's edge along with a pair of Oystercatchers. To my left a Buzzard took off from its resting place in a thick bush and then, immediately in front of me, my first well-exposed Linnet.  Once at the old barn the lagoon in front held a handful of mallard and a couple of Lapwing until the female Bearded Tit put in a very brief appearance as it flew low over the nearby reeds.  Then, as a party of Starlings descended to the water's edge they disturbed a pair of Pied Wagtails.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Continuing on to the far seawall I came across my first Skylark and more Barn Swallows and once up on the top passing alongside the thick brambles below me the sight of a number of Linnet and Whitethroat plus the occasional Blackbird and a pair of Goldfinches.  Lots of singing Reed and Sedge Warblers at this point.

Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis

Approaching the Deeps my first close sighting of the many Canada Geese with their well-grown youngsters and both a Moorhen and Heron. On the islands and banks many Black-headed Gulls along with more Shelduck and a score of Coot.  A Little Egret at the far end and a second out on the mudflats near the narrow water channel.

Canada Geese Branta canadensis

Continuing on and taking the cut-off path near the corner I cam across a resting Meadow Pipit which seemed to be happy to wait ages as it preened and allowed me to get even closer and closer.  And once almost on top of the bird a Sedge Warbler popped up from its low, but visible, singing post to sit atop a small tree immediately in front of me and continuing to sing whilst posing for his happy shot of the day!

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

And so, basically, ended a most enjoyable two and a half hours birding and walking.  But having packed everything away and set of for home, joining the main road at the end of the reserve, no sooner on than I noticed the Red Kite immediately above me.  An even better  way to end the morning.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Pheasant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Bearded Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta with a Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

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