Farlington Marsh

Friday 31 July 

Farlington Marsh by 8.30 and the warm sunshine is back with us again as I made my way along the sea wall at low tide to the viewing point overlooking the lagoon.  Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Kestrel and Herring Gull as I made my way through the small trees leading the gate and small pond where rested a number of Black-headed Gull plus a handful of Mallard and a Heron.  Out on the mudflats scores of resting Black-headed and the occasional passing Herring Gull plus a lone Little Egret.

A few of the resting Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Moving on down to the viewing area a Swift flew low on front of me and I was to see another over an hour later whilst watching the lagoon in front of the old barn.  Once at the viewing area a number of Shelduck on the very depleted water along with a small group of Black-tailed Godwit along with a trio of Knot keeping them company.  At the back  the water a small number of Redshank. Then it was back to the car to deposit the scope before heading along the cycle way to the old barn and discover who was resting on the small lagoon.  In the event, just a single Black-headed Gull on a post on the  water but resting on the bank a score of Lapwing plus a few more gulls and both a single Moorhen and Coot.  Then, over the water, the first of a handful of Barn Swallows and the second Swift of the morning.  In the small trees behind me a pair of House Sparrows and a handful of Goldfinches plus a pair of Greenfinch and a quartet of Blackbirds.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Leaving the water and taking the path on towards the seawall I continued until I reached the Deeps.  Nothing deep here as just the tiniest of streams to be seen.  Resting on an island a handful of Mallard and beyond them at least ten Little Egrets and a couple of resting Heron.  However, stopping to check the grazing store cattle in the field to my right I eventually discovered two Cattle Egrets, well concealed by the long grass but a record shot managed on the return journey.  With the camera playing up and refusing to auto focus, just a few shots today but having to use a manual focus, much to my annoyance.

Distant record shot of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (dead centre)

Returning to the old barn rather than continue on a clockwise circuit as I turned away from the sea wall at least six Barn Swallows passed overhead along with a single Sand Martin.  Back at the lagoon a trio of Black-tailed Godwits had arrived to join the resting Lapwing.  During the period between leaving and returning to the old barn, the number of resident Canada Geese had increased from a few score to well over 200 individuals but, again, given the height of the dry grass most were well concealed.  In the distance beyond the reed bed a massed flock of Starlings in the air for a short while.

3 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa arrived to rest in the water

Leaving the old barn I followed the designated path upsteam alongside the river noting very many resting Mallard, more Canada Geese and a few Coot. A Dunnock flew up into the lower branches of a bare tree and then I was through the gate and up the steps to the sea wall.  The tide very much now on the way in and covering just about all the mud but I did find a single Curlew and on the far river a pair of Mute Swans.  No need to go any further as birds on the main lagoon were now nearer to me and making my way back to the car a Great Black-backed Gull flew past.  And for the first time ever I think, not a single magpie seen during the visit!

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Lapwing, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank,  Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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