On Sunday afternoon, following the end of the first workshop I returned to the mudflats to take some photos and see some migrant waders. The photos of the men and women who seek out the shellfish in the estuary mud, possibly show people who may soon be looking for a new livelihood. The introduced and encroaching spartina grass is rapidly covering the estuarine mud. This creeping sea of green is reducing the feeding areas for the waders and, of course, also restricting the opportunities for these friendly people to seek out their traditional living. There are people as well as Spoon-billed sandpiper and thousands of other birds that need these mudflats to be saved.
The photo below shows a Nordmann's Greenshank, (the one with its head under its wing). There are also two Terek Sandpipers and a Greater Sand Plover in the photo. This and at least five more Nordmann's Greenshank were found that afternoon by British wader enthusiast Simon Buckell, who has recently been studying this site. Considering the bird is classed as Endangered it further highlights the importance of this special place. The calling flocks of Great Knot overhead add to the magic of the place.
The encroaching sea of spartina grass.