T'was a beautful sunny morning with a strongish SW wind. Long before the high tide, skeins of Barnacles had been coming along the Estuary. It was forecast to be a 10.3 m tide - one of the highest of the year but the SW wind probably would not push it too far up the marsh.
Skeins of Barnacles heading along the estuary.
More came as the tide pushed in.
After lunch we walked along the road towards the Lonning. Long lines of Oystercatchers could be seen roosting on the marsh edge in preparation for some inundation. Suddenly a large flock of geese flew over, heading inland to the Reserve wetlands.
Oystercatchers lining the marsh near Maryland.
Flock flying inland towards the Reserve wetlands.
Spurred on by this, we hurried down the track, only briefly viewing through the various screens on the way. Small groups of Teal, Wigeon and Lapwing were inhabiting the various pools there, enjoying the sunshine and shelter they afforded.
A cheering surprise as we entered the Lonning.
Wigeon - 1st Meadow Pool.
Lapwing on floodwater - left of the Lonning.
Teal dabbling on the floodwater margins - their colourful plumage enhanced in the sunlight.
On reaching the hide we were gratified to see that a mixed flock of Barnacles and Pinkfeet were peacefully grazing the carefully managed pastures there. Barnacles were in the majority but they all seem to graze happily side by side. Every so often a group would take to the air, have a fly round and then come back to land further along the meadow.
Part of the flock seen on the left-hand side of the hide.
Pinkfeet were in the minority.
A hare was confidently feeding with them.
Pinkfeet, although grazing with the Barnacles, seem always to keep towards the edge of the flock.
A Heron flew over to join in the fray.
Suddenly some of the flock take off - a 'fear' flight perhaps or maybe just repositioning themselves on fresh pasture?
They go for a general fly around . . .
. . . circling.
Flying over the hide.
Returning . . .
. . . and landing back with the flock.
During the afternoon, their numbers were swollen by small skeins of Pinkfeet dropping in from the east. When we left there were in the region of 1500 Barnacles and 800 Pinkfeet . . . and not forgetting the host of Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler and a Grey Heron who had been quietly getting on with their own business on the water beyond the causeway.
Small groups of pinks flying in.
Circling round . . .
. . . and then dropping in to join the flock.
The Grey Heron flying across the wetlands . . .
. . . comes to rest on the RHS of the causeway.
Wigeon flying in . . .
. . . and splashing down on the wetlands.