5 Feb - A very windy day, but the boat trip from Topsham (2) with my friend Julia went ahead, and the sun came out. We had close views of the waders as we cruised between the mudflats at low tide. At least 300 Avocets (13-16) were the star attraction, but Black-tailed Godwits (10) and Dunlin were in good numbers, with lesser numbers of Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew (12), Redshank (11) and Knot. There were good views of Red-breasted Mergansers (3-6) and a flock of 7 Scaup. Other species photographed include Great Black-backed Gull (8), Common Gull (9) and Shelduck (7). A flock of Brent Geese were seen in flight. Due to the wind and rough seas, the Scoter flock off Exmouth could not be located but were presumably still present. A Kittiwake was offshore from the estuary mouth.
An early morning stop en route at Poole gave me views of the wintering Long-billed Dowitcher, the same bird I first saw at Lodmoor in November, and I had very brief views of a first-winter Ring-billed Gull.
No comments:
Post a Comment