I like the word probing... lots of birds do it... some with more aplomb than others.
Curlews defintely probe, using that long decurved bill to extract lugworms from the deepest of burrows; while Snipe do so with great dexterity, feeling out a snack with an uber sensitive bill tip. Starlings probe en-masse pushing their bills into your lovely lawn and then opening them wide to make a bigger hole to extract a Leatherjacket.
Today's prober extrordinaire was a Green Woodpecker and this female has been seen on many recent mornings looking for her first meal of the day in the soft verges of the car park. Normally they will look for ants on the surface or attack a stray apple but this one has been up to her loral feathers in the turf much in the manner of a Blackbird. I suspect she is after worms.
And Jerry Hoare got this wonderful shot of her in the sunshine first thing.
The female Merlin was after Meadow Pipits again this morning and both Marsh Harrier and Peregrine were active with the latter chasing Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits over the high tide mid-morning.
And yes there were more Wood Pigeons today (about 10,000) and total through the Grays to Rainham Corridor since 3rd November now stands at 151,053.... Only one day has been blank with no movement... the 11th.
14-11-13