Six members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Laundry Lane on 24 May, with 34 species of birds seen or heard in total.
A great start to our walk with the regular male and female Brading Marsh White-tailed Eagles seen and at least 2 Marsh Harriers quartering the reedbeds. The breezy conditions meant that Swifts were feeding low over the fields, often flying close and just above our heads. Breeding wading birds were in evidence, with Oystercatchers and Lapwings on the wet grasslands.
Marsh Harrier Lapwing
Though the fields were quite dry, there were still some areas of standing freshwater, including in New Bridge pools with many Mallards already going into `eclipse’ plumage. At least 7 Grey Herons were gathered around the pools along with Little Egrets and a single Great White Egret. 2 Egyptian Geese were seen followed by another 4 flying and other wildfowl included Mute Swans, Canada Geese, a pair of Gadwall and a single Shelduck.
Grey Heron Gadwall
The breezy conditions reduced the amount of birdsong, but we did hear Reed and Cetti’s Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Skylark. Other birds seen/heard included Cormorants, Coots, Moorhens, Swallows, Goldfinches and Reed Bunting.
Dave Fairlamb
24 May 2025
