This week we have had the biggest high tides of the autumn. These bring birds into the inland water bodies of our reserves off of the saltmarsh. Giving you a real wader spectacular, as hundreds of waders – e.g. knot, oystercatchers, redshank, black-tailed godwit, dunlin – fly up off the saltmarsh in great waves as the tide approaches. Its is worth watching, then fascinating to watch them all feeding and the busyness of the flocks. Then as the tide recedes the birds leave the reserve in similar waves.
(Photographs: Neil Smith)
I was lucky enough to see this departure while painting over at our neighbouring reserve of Freiston Shore this morning. It was a busy morning at Freiston today as lots of birders had flocked to see one bird that has been around the reserve this week.
I admit, I joined the twitch last night, when John (Site manager), Simon (Visitor and Publicity Officer) and I raced over to Fresiton Shore at the end of the day, on hearing it was showing well. Neither Simon or I had ever seen the species before so their was a bit of excitement in the air, on arriving we headed to the end of the hide track, and looking over from the final viewing point in the hedgerow. And what a great view, and in the bright autumn sunshine! But of what you maybe wondering – a long billed dowitcher! It is an American wader, and a rare visitor to this country. It was still there at lunchtime today, in a similar place.
Well, that was my excitement of the week! Now I just need nine species to equal my year list from last year!