From Ian Smith: Tuesday 22nd March 2022
The Gann 09:35-10:35
68 Oystercatcher 8; Barwit; 3 Redshank and
small waders totalling one in the form of a Ringed Plover. 13 (5m) Wigeon
10:05
Brent Goose 35 arrived down river to land and then graze in Lagoon,
before soon leaving East along the north shore of Haven at 10:12
Dale
revealed a blank on the Glossy Ibis front at 10:40, ( and again at
12:20 and 17:25) so not lucky third time ! Compensation of Peacock
butterfly and Grey Wag by Dale Castle.
Dale
Airfield 10:40-12:15 Great to see some 95% of the Gorse Scrub flailed
to ground height at long last, with more Skylark and Mipit activity
notable in its place. Still some Linnets and Stonechats.
1 Ringed Plover heard at Stoney Field, where 12 Chough fed nearby along the grass strips in the cracked runway concrete.
St
Brides Bay 12:45-15:00 gave views of 2 winter plumaged Red-throated
Divers with a handful of Cormorants feeding in similar areas as another
handful of Gannets soared past. 2 Chough heading NE, well offshore,
raised question of whether their flight agility means they are able to
avoid Peregrine attacks whilst so exposed ?
Back to The Gann 17:35-18:35 (after again confirming Dale was still devoid of Glossy Ibis)
Brent
Geese now down to a group of 11 and another of 7, seemingly unperturbed
by people as they fed on the shore. Still 68 Oystercatcher and 8
Barwits, but a Greenshank had joined the 3 Redshanks, a male Teal with 2
females and only 3 Wigeon now visible. 40 Curlew appeared in the
Lagoon as I was leaving. Offshore Common Gulls reached around 130 and
Black-heads over 30, after arriving from direction of St Brides(?)