Skein of Pinks at sunset
1st October
Weather is still warm and sunny. Speckled Woods seen mating today and a flock of about 80 Pinks flew in from the across the saltmarsh and headed off in a south-easterly direction.
Speckled Woods mating. Female (the larger one) seems to have laid an egg.
Side view.
After flying round haphazardly for a few minutes, they landed on a nearby tree trunk.
7th October
Bright and sunny with a strong cold wind. Flocks of Lapwing were wheeling about the saltmarsh and Saltmarsh Pool. A lone Whooper had taken up residence there, too. At 6.30 pm a skein of 24 Pinks flew west along the Saltmarsh.
Lapwing wheeling about in the stiff breeze.
Whooper interrogating a group of Teal on Saltmarsh Pool.
8th October
10.30 am - a group of 5 Whoopers were seen flying N E over the marsh. At midday 3 Merganser were swimming in the Channel in front of the hamlet. Walked down the Lonning mid-afternoon. The floodwater on the left held 24 Teal, a Curlew and a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a good number of Lapwing. A Robin, singing its Winter song, followed us back down the Lonning.
Teal having a wonderful time, dashing madly about on floodwater - spray was flying everywhere.
Lesser Black-backed Gull with a flock of Lapwing on floodwater.
10th October
Early mist with rain clearing at midday with falling tide. 2 Ruddy Shelduck (possibly hybrids or escapes) flew in and, with other Shelduck, fed on the mudflats, as tide retreated. There was plenty of duck activity generally with Wigeon, Teal, Pintail (8) and Shoveler(24) in evidence. At 1pm a flock of Barnacle flew west over the Saltmarsh.
Ruddy Shelduck (possibly escapes) on tideline
Wigeon and Shoveler on the tideline as it receeded.
Part of a small flock of Barnacles flying west.
12th October
5 Whooper Swans flew back over to the Reserve and a Reed Bunting was seen on the hawthorn trees along saltmarsh edge.
A pool had been forming on the marsh, in the corner east of the Viaduct. Two Mute Swans had taken up residence in it lately.
Six Pinks were out in the channel today. Watched them for a while as the tide came in and flooded them off the sandbar.
Eventually they flew off east towards the Viaduct.
13th October
A much milder day with a few Red Admirals flying. At 10 am a group of 12 - 15 Whoopers flew south over the Viaduct.
14th October
A warm misty day - Butterflies and Dragonflies were still flying. At midday 9 Shelduck flew in onto the mudflats. A few minutes later a flotilla of 38 Wigeon sailed across the channel off Scargavel Point, as the tide was making. A late Swallow could be seen flying along the marsh.
On the Lonning a Robin was singing its cheery song
A few rays of sunlight momentarily lit up the Estuary.
Tideline inhabitants
A study of Shelduck