Our quest for divers and grebes got off to a promising start. Several Great Northern Diver and Great Crested Grebe were spotted at some distance towards the forts — photographs were necessary to confirm identification! Closer to shore, Cormorant were busy fishing, while a small group of Sanderling dashed along the tideline, busily feeding in their usual energetic style. Further along the beach, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull were making the most of exposed cockles and other marine invertebrates. Just offshore, a small party of Dark-bellied Brent Goose drifted on the water.
Waterbirds took centre stage at the Hersey Reserve. On the water we recorded Teal, Tufted Duck, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Little Grebe, and Mute Swan. A noisy band of Coot chased one another along the muddy margins, sharing the shoreline with Moorhen and Oystercatcher. At the edge of the reedbeds, a single Common Snipe and a Little Egret were roosting. In a field on the far side, a sizeable flock of feral Barnacle Goose (ex-Seaview Wildlife Encounter) grazed alongside several Magpie. As the weather turned increasingly misty, passerines were in shorter supply, with only Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Blue Tit, and a distant singing Robin recorded.
On our return along the sea front we witnessed a much larger flock of Sanderling. This time they were desperately flying around as they tried to dodge people and dogs in search of a quieter stretch of sand. A single Turnstone completed our coastal sightings.
Nine members took part in the walk, recording a total of 27 bird species. We rounded off the morning with well-earned hot drinks at Lily’s Café in Seaview.
Teresa Tearle
