Ideal conditions for a winter bird walk as we met under sunny skies at Newtown National Nature Reserve. Starting at Coastguard Meadows the surrounding mature hedgerows hosted a range of species – Goldcrest, Wren, Robin, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Song Thrush, Redwing, Starling, Blackbird, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit. Flyovers included Jackdaw, Rook, Raven, Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a large flock of Lapwing. The Newtown River afforded views of Canada Goose, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Greenshank, Little Grebe and a distant view of a Peregrine being mobbed by Carrion Crow over Hamstead. As we reached the boat house high tide meant little mud was exposed so Grey Plover, Turnstone and Dunlin were making the most of the last remaining islands and posts in the water while numerous Cormorant gathered along the spit. Nearby an adult White-tailed Eagle sat in a tree at Brickfield (we just missed it fishing at the spit). High tide around the boardwalk brought us close to many Brent Goose and several Meadow Pipit and Rock Pipit. Out in the Clamerkin Channel we picked out Shelduck, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal and Red-breasted Merganser, with Black-headed, Herring and Common Gulls scattered among them. The saltmarsh hosted numerous roosting Curlew, and a few well-hidden Snipe lurked at the back of the scrape. From the hide, Ringed Plover were spotted feeding on the final patches of mud, while a Kingfisher provided a moment of pure magic, fishing among the flooded roots of an oak tree. And a final highlight – six Spoonbill lifted from Lambsleaze and settled at the edge of the marsh in front of the hide, perfectly timed as we prepared to depart.
Twelve members took part in the walk, joined by a guest—the County Bird Recorder for Devon — whose knowledge and insights added greatly to an already memorable morning. 50 bird species.
Teresa Tearle
