A really exceptional day to be outside. The northerly airstream gave rise to intense indigo and dark green colours in the landscape, contrasting sharply with sunlight on golden harvest fields.
After lunch the tide was ebbing. Way out into the distance across the mudflats, a myriad of birds could be seen weaving about in aerial flight or feeding on the mudflats. The feeding stations in the hamlet and at the Wetlands Centre were busy with what looked like an influx of brightly coloured Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Greenfinches. Two Brambling had been seen at the weekend on the Centre feeders by Marjorie and Neil Hutchin - whilst on duty there.
Aerial displays of waders over Saltmarsh Pool.
Hightide gathering on marsh edge.
Oystercatchers waiting out the tide.
Chaffinch and Greenfinches on hamlet feeders.
A trip to the hide 2.30 - 3.30pm revealed 25 Pinkfeet grazing and resting on the recently cut wet meadows east of the hide pool. Always a good sight to see them using the Reserve as a pit stop on their way further south to their traditional wintering places. Gradually the hide filled up with other birders, intent on spotting the Harriers recently seen quartering the Moss from here. The only sighting made during this period though, was a Kestrel hunting along the causeway. A number of Darters were flying in the vicinity of the hide - liking the warmth of the wooden railings to land on. Red Admirals too were still flying.
Pinkfeet grazing on wetlands.
Group resting on wetlands east of Hide Pool.
Male Common Darter on hide fencing boards . . .
. . . and a male Black Darter alongside.
Red Admiral feeding on brambles.
So leaving the hide to the birders to continue their watch, bumped into John Howard from Hawick who said he had already walked the Blue Route earlier in the day and had a few photos from that episode. Thanks for emailing these, John.
Adult Grey Heron - credit J. Howard.
Barnacles flying over - credit J.Howard.
Linnets on power lines - Credit J. Howard
Goldfinch near Centre Feeders - Credit J. Howard.
Pinkfeet from hide - Credit J. Howard.
Arriving back at the car park at 3.40pm, a small flock of Pinkfeet flew above us heading south, quickly followed a few minutes later by another flock - this time of Barnacles flying east along the saltmarsh (our first sighting of Barnacles this year although there have been reports of them at Rockcliffe and Morecambe Bay in recent few days).
Pinkfeet flying south.
Barnacles along the saltmarsh.
Chris Taylor reported very good numbers of birds at Bowness on a falling tide at 2.15pm: 57 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Guillemot, 7 Goosander, 4 Red-throated Divers, 3 Shoveler, 9 Pintail, 3 Wigeon, 32 Mallard - with the comment, "I have never had Guillemot numbers like this on the Solway. Looking through records for evidence of numbers at this time of year".