Bird Meeting at St Helen’s Sunday 26th November 2017

St Helen’s. Nine members met in Latimer Road for a walk in the vicinity of Bembridge Harbour including a walk along the old railway track to Harbour Farm. It was a lovely, crisp calm morning and our first port of call was near the old Mill and then Old Mill Ponds. The tide was out which enabled us to see some waders; Redshank, Blacktailed Godwit, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Greenshank, Curlew and later on just two Dunlin. Also on the mud or in the sea we saw Teal, Mallard and Little Grebe. Later, on the Eastern Yar we saw Coot, Gadwall, Shoveller, Wigeon and two Great Crested Grebe. The Marsh Harrier was quartering the reed beds and Grey Heron flew over as did a Kestrel. Many Canada Geese were grazing in the fields. Tufted Duck were swimming and feeding in the lagoons and a Water Rail was heard. On the large pond beside Harbour Farm there were at least 20 Pochard and a couple of Mute Swan. Along the way we saw both Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare, heard Dunnock and Robin and also saw Jackdaw, Crow, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Blue Tit. Another look at the harbour we saw Brent, Black-headed Gull and many Great Black Backed Gull. In all 45 species were noted during the course of the morning. Anthea Blackwell.