Ornithological Meeting at Shalfleet Quay, 21st November 2015

Nine members met at the Car park in Quay Lane for a short walk to the Quay on a very cold morning. The very strong wind kept many of the birds away. The larger birds, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Rooks were still about. At first the tide was still quite high and the Mallards were swimming in Shalfleet Lake with a Redshank feeding on the exposed mud. Later the tide dropped and we saw Wigeon in a flock of about 40 swimming towards the far side and about 50 Teal on the mud in a far inlet. A Little Grebe was constantly diving for food and a family of seven Mute Swans were together. In amongst the Black Headed Gulls were two Mediterranean Gulls. A Little Egret flew up the channel. In a far field there were about 200 Brent Geese and approximately 100 Lapwing. A small flock of Starling flew around the marsh area and a Kestrel was seen. There were three Curlew, one separate from the others, only had one leg but it did managed to feed. In a sheltered part of the hedgerow a Blue Tit was seen. As the weather conditions were rather against us we did not linger on the jetty but made our way back to the cars. In all 21 species was seen, a rather disappointing tally.