Rainbow across the estuary after sudden squall.
A bright sunny day interspersed with sudden squalls. Even though a strong SW wind was blowing, the Lonning afforded plenty of shelter with its high hedges - in fact it is quite a suntrap on such a day.
There were only a handful of Oystercatchers on the high tideline today. However, a Llittle Egret was scurrying about the marsh along the front of the hamlet - probably due to a plentiful supply of emerging frogs or spawn and tadpoles! As I reached the Lonning entrance, Bob Carron was coming out and was able to report that earlier he had seen 10 Gannets fly in along the estuary as far as the hamlet and then turn round and fly out again; his first Chiffchaff at Bowness Gravel Pits reserve just a few hundred yards back along the marsh - so they are in the vicinity then! David Johnstone also reported seeing these Gannets and another set of 14 an hour later, flying in and out in the same manner. He also saw a Wheatear on the marsh opposite Biglands, and a male and two female Stonechat near the Saltmarsh Pool.
Oystercatchers on the tideline with a Cormorant.
Little Egret in hunting mode.
Arriving at the first Meadow Pool, a few Wigeon and Teal were using its wet margins very happily. The couple of Greylags, seen in front of the hide a few days earlier, were now here having a snooze of the grassy bank between the new scrape and the pool itself. On the distant bank to the west there was plenty of duck and wader activity but I thought that it would be better viewed from the next screen along the Lonning.
Greylag snoozing on the bank nearby - or so I thought!
Wigeon and Golden Plover on the distant bank.
Travelling thus, a peep though the screen overlooking the flooded meadows on the left revealed a good number of Oystercatchers either defending territory or settling down to nesting amongst the clumps of rushes. In the bright sunshine one periodically caught a flash of colour from Teal's plumage as they displayed on the water and environs. A very prominent pair of Black-headed Gulls, in full summer plumage, were sitting it out on an island in the middle.
Lapwing in breeding plumage.
Teal glinting in the sunlight.
A pair of Black-headed Gulls looking resplendent in full Summer plumage.
Crossing over the Lonning to the screen of the second Meadow Pool and a comfortable well-placed seat - it is a good place to linger. One never knows what might pop up! Currently pairs of Teal, Wigeon, Mallard and Pintail were on the water and plenty of duck crowded round the island. Now, on the far bank, it was clear to see in the region of 350 Golden Plover, some already in summer plumage - a few Lapwings and Starlings were mingling with them, too. They were on the whole quietly roosting but kept being joined by other small groups flying in. These are a relatively new feature for the Reserve. Unperturbed by this activity, a Little Egret carefully picked its way along the water's edge in front of them.
A pair of Pintail making progress across the pool - inspite of the rough water.
Golden Plover on the far bank.
Little Egret hunting along the pool edge.
Making the last leg up the track to the hide, one of the cheering sight of Spring greeted my eyes: daffodils and primulas bravely pushing their way through the hedgeside vegetation. Then, there was a distant 'pink' 'pink' in the air. Sure enough, a group of about 50 Pinkfeet eventually became visible flying overhead. A sudden squall had come across the peninsula and was disorientating them, as they were distinctly battling against it but they eventually flew off in the direction of the estuary. No sooner had they disappeared than more groups flew over in the opposite direction.
Daffodils and Primulas . . .
. . . pushing through the bankside undergrowth.
Pinkfeet overhead.
More flying in the opposite direction.
However, finally arriving at the sanctuary of the hide with its padded seats and excellent viewpoint, there was much activity on the wetland ahead. Left of the peninsula, in amongst the rushes, five or six Little Egret, two Grey Heron and a Common Buzzard were darting about excitedly - probably feeding on frogs or their spawn and tadpoles. Then suddenly some of them took off; flew across the causeway and landed in the open water on the other side. Could count at least eight here - had totalled 10 on the Reserve a few evenings recently!
Five Little Egret and a Grey Heron had been hunting amongst the rushes on LHS of the causeway . . .
. . . and two more with two Grey Heron and a Common Buzzard.
Little Egret fly towards the causeway and the wetlands beyond.
Eight Little Egret in all on the wetlands.
Out on the water, a very active group of Pintail were visible, with Shoveler seen here and there. The usual Wigeon and Teal were still feeding round the margins.
Pintail and Teal.
Shoveler.
General activity: Shoveler flying in with Pintail and Wigeon beyond.
The hide is an excellent place to spend a few hours. Its wooden construction and south facing design keep it warm all the year round. The wetland and Moss beyond which it overlooks, are an ever changing source of wildlife activity. Who knows what will present itself for your delectation if one lingers a while?