Trip reports

Havergate Island

Sunday, 9 October 2011

On a somewhat chilly day we took the RSPB boat, October Storm, to Havergate Island. The sky was overcast and a shooting party was taking place near the Island so it did not look too promising for a days birdwatching.
However, we were in for a pleasant surprise. The Island was alive with birds (and hare). There were plenty of wigeon, a number of mallard, together with teal, pintail, shoveler, shelduck and gadwall. The main waders were several hundred avocet, redshank, dunlin and black-tailed godwit along with a few oystercatcher, curlew, ringed plover, grey and golden plover and knot. Perhaps the most surprising sighting was that of a greater flamingo, presumably an escapee, on Main lagoon.
On the raptor front there were a few kestrel and a pair of marsh harrier provided some flypasts at fairly close range.
By far the noisiest birds were the Canada geese which flew around all day in large flocks and we also sighted flocks of starlings and charms of goldfinch.
All in all, a very successful day.