Bird Meeting at Bembridge Harbour 21st August 2022

12 members met at Latimer Road St Helens on a beautiful morning. Our first stop was on the bridge overlooking the Eastern Yar and we then walked along the footpath that runs adjacent to Embankment Road to Harbour Farm entrance. We then walked east a little way by the road beyond the houseboats so that we could get a good view of the mud flats before turning round and walked by the road back to our cars. Some extended the walk and had a look at the mill pond. It was a delight to show two new members a variety of birds from a much-loved walk of mine. There were at least 14 Cormorant roosting on the trees lining the river and 8 Tufted Duck swimming on the river. Two Great White Egret were seen flying and the size difference was very evident when compared with four Little Egret. A White-tailed Eagle was perched on the tree with a nesting platform in the distance. Fortunately, we had the telescope which gave us a better view. Several Cetti’s warbler gave their very distinctive call as were a couple of Water Rail. We had a distant view of a Peregrine flying, as well as Kestrel, Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier. There were 11 Black Tailed Godwit in one of the pools. 15 Sandwich Tern were roosting on the mud flats as were two Common Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull and Mediterranean Gull. Oystercatcher, One Whimbrel and a Redshank were seen. The mill pond produced 14 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and 43 Mediterranean Gull. In all 40 species were recorded.  Jackie Hart

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