Trip reports
MERE SANDS AND MARSHSIDE
Saturday, 15 March 2008
The attraction of Mere Sands (apart from the shelter) was the report of a night heron of American origin. As this was a major attraction for the region the car park was full and finding the bird easy. The bird was roosting in a tree near one of the main pools and so it was possible to obtain two good viewing points. The bird seemed oblivious to the attention it was attracting, with only the occasional lift of its head to look around, but provided clear views of its face.
After spending time looking we pushed on around the reserve, finding a fair selection of waterfowl on the pools such as Little Grebe, Gadwall etc. Over the main pool 3 Sand Martins were hawking for flies and were the first views of the year for many of the party. A big bonus for most of the members was views of 2 Little Owls perched on a nearby barn sunning themselves. In the fields a pair of Red Legged Partridge skulked along with a party of Pied Wagtails and a couple of Song Thrushes. On the woodland trail Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Tree Sparrow provided entertainment.
With lunch approaching we decided to move onto Marshside, and whilst we ate we were afforded views of a number of Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Skylark.
The short walk down to the Sandgrounder hide hinted at potential, the marsh abounded with birds. Avocet and Little Egret were soon found along with a party of Black Tailed Godwits. A Green Winged Teal had been reported and although we found plenty of Common Teal this one eluded us. A quick view over the other side of the marsh revealed a solitary Bar Tailed Godwit along with a number of Ruff moving into breeding plumage. A flock of Golden Plover flew in and started feeding providing a distraction and soon after Dunlin and Snipe were located.
As we left the car park we stopped further down the road in a lay-by, where a path leads onto an embankment going out towards the estuary. As we decided that it would be worth a further visit a Peregrine flew over, what a fitting end to the day.
Report by Kathy Jones
Photo: Avocets (taken elsewhere)