15 September 2012

Drinking at the gilded puddles

An early tide at Goldcliff produced a very similar haul of waders to the last visit, namely: 30+ Ringed Plover, 175 Knot, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (although it appears I missed one), 360 Dunlin, 239 Black-tailed Godwit, 83 Curlew, 4 Spotted Redshank and 4 Greenshank.  There was, however, a notable increase in overhead passage, most of the gubbins was heading westward and included: 1 Skylark, 3 Tree Pipit, 70+ Meadow Pipit, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtail, 10 Siskin, 1 Redpoll and 3 Goldfinch.  On the deck migrants included: 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler plus Blackcap and Chiffchaffs.

On the way back, bumped into the Marsh Harrier at Boat Lane quartering above the massed ranks of, very nearly, 500 Canada Geese amongst which hid the usual shameful assemblage of escapes and hybrids.  

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