Early snowdrops at the Lonning entrance.
Splendid day: clear frosty sunshine with very little wind - only a slight breeze from the east. The Solway was flat calm at high tide.
We walked down the lonning onto Campfield Marsh Reserve early afternoon. The Meadow Pools held 21 Whoopers with plenty of Wigeon and Teal. Heard the sound of Pinks nearby but carried on to the hide... 400 Pinks promptly appeared, disturbed by neighbouring tractor activity. They landed on the wetland beyond the hide. Dave Blackledge, who had just joined us, indicated that one did have a neck collar and he was going to check out the implications of this. Not too sure where the Pinks had come from but the presence of 5 diggers, immaculately lined up on the skyline at Rogersceugh, might be an indicator!.
Hope the Pinks are prospecting the Reserve for the coming weeks.
All in all, a very pleasant afternoon. Good to have a change in the weather!
Some of the Whoopers on the Meadow Pools, enjoying the early afternoon sunlight.
Seen from the Lonning - they were still there later on in the afternoon.
Pinkfeet flying over the wetlands.
Pinkfeet coming into land on the wetland meadows in front of the hide.