Walland Marsh

Walland Marsh - 0915hrs - cool, dry and sunny, w3 - Spent the morning on Walland searching for farmland birds and the like. One of the group particularly wanted to see Yellow Wagtails; and she was not to be disappointed as we had cracking views of 10 or more around the Marsh, along with good views of Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Cuckoo, Med Gulls, Hobby, Buzzard and Marsh Harriers. The Joker was on site hunting for the Quail when he picked up a Crane flying over - on call! (a top find by the old boy). It was eventually relocated by Hawkeye and we all enjoyed stunning close views of this continental wanderer.

                                          Sub-adult Crane, Walland Marsh
Rye Harbour NR - 1315hrs As always a pleasure to visit this well managed site with its seabird colony and breeding waders, despite the soaking we got from a 10 minute cloud burst! The terns and gulls were on fine form with the first Black-headed Gull chicks of the season on show. Couldn`t find any more than a dozen Med Gulls on nests but I`m sure there were many more tucked away on islands. The Sarnie Terns seem to have shifted to the southern side of Ternery Pool. Avocets also noted with chicks, but the highlight of the visit was a flock of 9 Little Terns on Quarry Beach.

                                          Black-headed Gull with chicks, Rye Harbour

                                          Little Terns, Rye Harbour
Scotney GP - 1600hrs A count of 42! Ringed Plovers on the grass fields was the only noteworthy event here.