Seaview bird walk

Sunday, 6^th December 2015 Ten members met in Bluett Avenue in Seaview for circular walk on a very windy morning. It started off with bright sunshine but gradually the weather changed to light rain. The sea was rough so we did not attempt any sea watching but walked along the old toll road where we saw four species of gulls: A Great Black Backed Gull, at least six Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and two Mediterranean Gulls. Cormorant and six Oystercatchers were also seen. A visit to Hersey Reserve enabled us to see two Little Egret, at least 10 Little Grebe, 14, Tufted Duck, six Common Snipe, at least 12 Teal, a Buzzard, Grey Heron, 12 Coot ,  Mallard and a Moorhen. A Kingfisher was seen on several occasions flying by. Way in the distance, on Nettlestone Hill we could see the Barnacle Geese feeding in the field and were still there when we passed by about an hour later. I counted 220 but some were obscured by trees so the final figure would be more than this. Seaview Wildlife Encounter (used to be Flamingo Park) closed suddenly at the beginning of November and is now empty so it will be interesting to see how long these geese stay faithful to the area. Previously they were fed by the Park. During the course of the walk we also saw or heard Wren, Jay, Kestrel, Robin, Magpie, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, pair of Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Rook, Crow, Jackdaw and Pied Wagtail. In all 35 species were seen. In the trees near the Wishing Well we were entertained by two Red Squirrels chasing each other up and down the trunk of a tree. Jackie Hart