It was a change of scenery today and a walk around Ferrybridge as the tide was coming in.
Main highlight was my first Common Sandpiper of the year. It was the briefest of views, as it flew in. landed briefly and then took off again and headed up The Fleet.
Other highlights were a Little Egret, 8 Ringed Plover, 70+ Dunlin, 25+ Sanderling, 100+ Mediterranean Gulls and 15 Sandwich Terns
Also seen were several House Martin and Swallows heading south.
Birds Recorded:
1 Cormorant
1 Little Egret
8 Ringed Plover
70+ Dunlin
25+ Sanderling
1 Common Sandpiper
Black-headed Gull
100+ Mediterranean Gull
5 Herring Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gull
15 Sandwich Tern
8 House Martin
12 Swallow
2 Pied Wagtail
Carrion Crow
Starling
Linnet
Little Egret
Dunlin
Dunlin and Sanderling in flight
Dunlin with Sandwich Terns behind them
Sanderling
Sanderling in the foreground with Dunlin on the far bank.
A small flock of Sanderling feeding on the sandflats, whilst a Black-headed Gull has a nap.
Sanderling again with a sleepy Black-headed Gull
Dunlin in the water, Sanderling on the sandflats behind them 8 Mediterranean Gulls
A Black-headed Gull
And a Mediterranean Gull
Two Sandwich Terns (juvenile - left) and a Mediterranean Gull.
A Sandwich Tern in flight.
And another Sandwich Tern
A Common Sandpiper coming into land and then a few seconds later it was off again.
2 Large White
1 Small White
1 Gatekeeper
Bees Recorded:
Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Plants:
Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Plants:
Shrubby Sea-blite (Suaeda vera)
Shrubby Sea-blite (Suaeda vera)
Ted:
Not one of Ted's best walks, as he's not allowed off his lead on the reserve. He still had a good walk to stretch his legs
And not for the first time, I have seen this sailing ship before, but I still don't have a name for it!!!
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It was an evening walk with Ted to the Portland Bowling Green (by the Governors garden) to meet up with my Dad (93 years old now) and my sister Hazel. Both have been down here for a few days staying in Dawn's Caravan and it was really good to see them both after nearly 3 years due to the Pandemic.
Dad met up with lots of his old Bowls Team mates and we even had time for a pint before he headed back to the caravan.
On the way to the bowls I came across a very friendly Raven who was very pleased to be given one of Ted's Gravy Bones.
Over the bowling green were at least 150 Swifts and equally Black-headed Gulls & Herring Gulls feeding on swarms of flying ants.
On the walk back home, I was hoping for a Glow-worm or two. Sadly there were none, but I did catch a Little Owl flying along the coast path.
A very friendly Raven
I even managed a close-up before...........
..............it headed off for Ted's Gravy Bone..
I think this is a Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
Not two Glow-worms but Ted's eyes "glowing" in the night sky.