Landshipping/Martletwy area - large numbers of redwings etc

The snow-covered local lanes around Martletwy and Landshipping were generally quiet for birds this afternoon. Some were in gardens at bird feeders but many were feeding along the upper shore and saltmarsh of the Cleddau shoreline - an area relatively free of snow and ice.

There was quite an eclectic mix of species too. Five species of thrush, numerous skylarks, meadow and rock pipits, starlings and chaffinches were all feeding alongside lapwings, redshanks, teal, and snipe. Golden plovers were in the area but only a small flock was seen (less than 20).

A brief shoreline walk near the saltmarsh revealed at least 150 snipe, 2 jack snipe plus the numerous passerines. A short section of more sheltered upper shore bordered by trees, between Landshipping Quay and the launch slip was holding easily in excess of 1,000 redwings (most feeding on numerous invertebrates amongst rotting seaweed) alongside c. 200 or more lapwings and various other species.

Mostly redwings feeding here - a typical scene along a few hundred metres of upper shoreline

Fieldfares (200+) and a few mistle thrushes were also feeding on the saltmarsh edge along side the other thrushes. In one location some were preferring over-ripe ornamental fruit. Snipe and redwings were also feeding in roadside ditches in the area - those that weren't frozen up!

If this small area of the upper Cleddau was typical, then there could have been many thousands of redwings and other thrushes feeding today along the upper shore of the larger estuary system.