Here as promised is a collection of videos from the island.
Little Stint on Havergate, courtesy of David Fairhurst, Nov 2011
Definately an unsual record for Havergate in November but in a county contact they do overwinter. Having overwintered in other estuaries in the past 20 years or so. Little stints are normally associated with Havergate in the August and September and it will be interesting to see how long this bird stays on the island.
Grey plover trying (very hard) to extract a worm from the lagoon, courtesy of David Fairhurst, Nov 2011
A classic example of a Grey plover eating a ragworm. It is likely to be ragworm though other types of lagoon worm cannot be ruled out!
Many shorebirds rely on Havergate, the food it produces and the sanctuary it provides at high tide . Part of the EU Life+ work is to provide better conditions for invertebrates like this to live in and in turn hopefully produce better conditions for birds to breed and feed.
Caspian Gull on main lagoon, courtesy of David Fairhurst, Nov 2011
Caspian gulls are a a rare gull in this country. They are normally found around the Black sea and Caspians sea but have been recently been spreading North and west into Germany and Poland. They are still a rare bird in the British isles found chiefly in east anglia and the south east of England.
They look superficially similar to the Herring gull but have a dark eye, a darker back, comparatively small heads and when stood on the ground have a barrel chested look. It is often remarked that they look like large common gulls.
They have an interesting taxonomic history having only recently been giving full species status, it was considered until recent genetic advances to be a sub species and part of the herring gull, lesser black backed complex.
Short eared owl on Havergate, taken from the long meadow , courtesy of David Fairhust Nov 2011.
One of several on the island, with possibly up to two wintering on the island at the moment. They are taking advantage of the plentifull supply of voles and mice and the relatively low levels of disturbance. These birds are likely to be migrants from scandanavia and seeing out the winter in the UK.
The contractors get to work on Havergate, courtesy of Kieren Alexander, Nov 2011
Here are the contractors getting to work on the lagoons on Havergate. This is them removing part of the big spoil bank in the far part of the north lagoon, this spoil bank will then form part of the new islands in this far corner which in turn should hopefully produce good breeding, feeding and roosting habitat for a wide range of birds.
For anyone wondering how the contractors get the machinery and equipment out to the island, this video shows how. Guinevere is a landing craft able to take 15 tonnes, in an added touch of poignancy having taken countless vehicles to both orfordness and Havergate in its life, it is to be retired after the work is complete.