News from the bird reserve today included the drake Smew and four Cattle Egrets still present, the Whooper Swans on the Cockles Bridge fields and the Bewick`s Swans at Horses Bones Farm, Lydd.
Lade - Spent some time along the foreshore this afternoon between Greatstone and the Pilot in glorious weather conditions. All ten species of waders were logged as well as several Mediterranean Gulls amongst 2,000 Common Gulls. Squid eggs were everywhere, while a dead fish about a metre long appeared to be a Pike; as confirmed by two local fisherman and several replies to pics posted on Twitter (thanks for your input to all concerned). As to why a freshwater fish was washed up on the foreshore is anyone guess; perhaps it was dumped there after having been caught in the local gravel pit, or maybe it isn't a Pike? If anyone has any offers please get in touch.
Hi Paul, lots of Pike in the Rother. Would have thought it had died in the river and got washed down into the sea in the recent floods.
ReplyDeleteThanks Matthew, yes, that would seem the most likely scenario.
ReplyDeleteI saw the squid eggs while out walking Ida. I didn't know what they were so thanks for the explanation!
ReplyDeleteIts all or nothing with squid eggs on the beach here Mark, they often appear after a southerly airflow with a spring tide. According to a local fisherman squid are now regularly caught during the summer months at various points around the bay, but mainly off Hythe and Sandgate.
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