Heron Fest

Lade - 0830hrs - cold, sunny, nw 2 - Cracking winters morning with a bright blue sky and lighter winds than yesterday. Plenty of birds about too with a flock of 7 White-fronts overhead as we walked across the storm beaches. Almost the first bird noted on south pit was the Black-throated Diver feeding close to the bank at the south end, but when disturbed it flew back to its preferred channel of water on north pit near the swing bridge. Also hunting around the margins of south pit were several Grey Herons and singles of Little and Great White Egrets, the latter flying around now and again. The water was smothered in a 1,000 plus Common and Black-headed Gulls as well as all the usual diving ducks, Teal and Gadwall. Around the willow swamp a Bittern broke cover while several Water Rails and a Cetti`s Warbler called. At least 3 Marsh Harriers hunted the fields towards the airport while 150 Curlews came into roost from the bay. On the walk back 5 Shelducks flew on to south pit. Also noted, Song Thrush, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel and 3 Siskins over.
Called in at Littlestone Lifeboat station where the 2 Snow Buntings were present in the car park, until flushed by a dog-walker.

 

Lade `Mirrors`