Six of us had a very enjoyable, if slightly damp stroll around Farlington Marshes.

On our arrival the tide was completely out but a Cetti’s warbler welcomed us with a burst of song and large flocks of Starling flew in all directions.  Once on the sea wall we began to see Black Tailed Godwits in some numbers, with three at very close range.  Also out on the mud were plenty of Redshank, Oystercatcher and Curlew and a large group of ducks, mainly Wigeon, in non-breeding plumage. Little Egret were numerous and occasionally Grey Heron were seen.  Arriving at The Lake the water levels were too high for any of the usual waders. There was no shortage of Coot however, and we saw two Little Grebe and a Great Crested Grebe here diving for food.  Sharp eyes picked out a Kingfisher sitting in a bush near the lake.

Continuing around the sea wall we were able to see numerous Meadow Pipit, a couple of Stonechat and a little Chiffchaff busily flitting around in the scrub.

Many birds were at some distance out in the harbour but the increasing drizzle and wind made identification difficult.  The Deeps was strangely quiet but fortunately here the rain eased off and we were able to see large numbers of Brent Geese flying in out at sea.  On Biness Island a large bird perched in the dead trees was confirmed on closer inspection through telescopes to be a Peregrine, and three Greenshank were spotted on the shoreline as the tide was coming in.  A group of Shelduck did a flypast for us.  Six Cattle Egret could be seen in the fields living up to their name by associating with the livestock.  Closer inspection revealed half a dozen or so Yellow Wagtail also present.  A Raven ‘cronked’ as it flew by and landed in one of the fields.

We had our well-earned lunch in the visitor’s centre hut and as we were finishing a Marsh Harrier began to quarter the fields and reed beds.  The stream was very quiet initially but as we cut across the fields and scrub we also saw some Shoveler and Pintail along with groups of Black Headed Gull and two Common Gull.  A Buzzard began circling around in the sky.

As we climbed the steps up to the sea wall again the tide was fully in on the other side and numerous Brent Geese bobbed around on the open water.  We had seen a respectable total of 52 species for the day.