wit or two on Prestwick Carr this morning. Alan F and I counted them a number of times and the total was 104 -116 Black Tailed Godwit so we'll settle on 110. The last time we had a visitation like this was in April 2005 when 86 birds dropped in. Better still the Bar tailed Godwit was still there and was mixing with 45 Redshank and a couple of Dunlin.
Also in attendance pairs of Shoveler, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose and two Whimbrel which I just about managed to get a shot of.
The summer plummage of the Black tails is just coming through and quite beautiful as is the wing pattern when they fly.
The gathering started last night just after the deluge abated. I was driving out having failed to find a hoped for Yellow Wagtail when I noticed some waders with the gulls. Closer inspection found 15 birds so I quickly went home to sort out the final job of the day and returned an hour later to find 79 birds.
As I counted I was sure there was more arriving out of the greyness and sure enough this mornings ton up proves it.
And with the flock at Holywell, there's been quite a fall! Lots of nasty easterlies and rain on Sunday night so wellies and pager at the ready come Monday :)
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeletepush them a bit towards Big Waters,there is a nice patch that would suit the Godwits there at the moment in amongst the floating Swans and Coots Nests.
John
Lovely work. It really is important to record what flies in at a time when the Green Belt is under pressure and 'planners' (a.k.a. bag carriers for developers) are biding their time to write off 'marginal land'. Wouldn't build over a swamp? I've seen it done and in several places, north and south.
ReplyDelete