Well it is for the birds anyway!
Migration is well underway with the wading birds starting their southward migration from their Arctic breeding grounds to spend the winter in west Africa. The vast majority are black tailed godwits from Iceland, dunlin from Siberia and lapwings from northern England and Scandinavia. The birds use the reserve as a stop-over point to refuel and it is not unusual to see up to 20 species on one visit. Water levels in the fresh marsh are kept low in the autumn to provide large areas of food-rich mud and excellent views can be obtained fom the new Island Hide.
Highlghts over the last couple of weeks have included 19 summer plumaged curlew sandpipers, 650 golden plover, 420 lapwing, over 2000 knot roosting on the fresh marsh over high tide and at least 12 little ringed plovers. Close scrutiny of the ruff may reveal individuals with coloured rings on their legs. Many on the birds have been ringed in Holland while on migration so if you manage to see any rings please report them to the Information Desk in the visitor centre.
There is a large flock of dunlin around the reserve this evening so I am off to find and American rarity.....hopefully!!
Paul
Did you find one Paul?