Spotted Redshank and Merlin - The Gann

A lonely Spotted Redshank was initially resting in the sun on an island in the lagoon this morning before flying down to the beach as the tide fell. It joined an impressive dense mixed flock on a small relatively dry mound just out from the car park which contained Common Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull and a single Turnstone. There was lots of squabbling and shuffling around before they dispersed to feed.

Also on the beach was a Herring Gull roost of over 240 birds - about 90% adults, with a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and elsewhere one Common Gull, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, and only about a dozen Great Black-backed Gulls. The lagoon was very quiet with a  Kingfisher along with about 40 Wigeon, a dozen Teal, 5 Little Grebe and a Water Rail calling from near the car park. 

A second Water Rail was calling up the river near Whiteholme Farm Lane and a Merlin was on top of a power pole in the dead pines. It ignored a mobbing Crow and flew off, apparently in pursuit of a Woodpigeon.