Supermoon viewed at 23.39 hours out of a clear sky.
A 'Supermoon' occurs around every 14 full moons, when it makes its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. This one is called the 'Hunter's Moon' because of its association with the hunting season.
When the full moon is closest to the planet, the tide levels are at their highest. This should produce some good birdwatching on the Solway Estuary, around the high tide, in the next few days - now that the area is filling up with wintering wildfowl and waders.
A walk along the road west from Scargavel Point to the layby near Maryland farm around the high midday tide today resulted in the following observations:
View along the flooded saltmarsh looking east towards the Viaduct.
Little Egret preening on the marsh.
A further one hunting along the marsh.
Another group (ten in total) appearing, flying overhead and heading inland to the Reserve wetlands.
Flocks of Oystercatchers and Gulls on the now flooded marsh.
Some of the many hundreds of duck frequenting the tideline.
Suddenly a flock of about 50 Barnacle geese flew by . . .
. . . travelling in an easterly direction.
Channels filling near Maryland Farm as the tide flooded in.
Yet another Little Egret - flying east.
Small groups of Oystercatchers and Curlew inhabit remaining unflooded islands of saltmarsh.
Activity looking west from the layby near Maryland.
Distant flock of Barnacle Geese looking across Saltmarsh Pool from the layby.
Close-up of Barnacles grazing.
A sudden movement amongst the roosting birds as the tide starts to fall back.
Grey waders in flight . . .
. . . and Oystercatchers too.
Aerial displays of grey waders particularly, continued into the afternoon.