Waders in Flight at Fingringhoe Wick

25th July 2017

Although the main destination today was Fingringhoe Wick, I stopped off at Abberton Reservoir to see if any waders were feeding on the causeways. For some reason the water levels between the two causeways is still high, so there is no exposed mud by the Layer Breton causeway. On the banks themselves the only birds worthy of note were a couple of Yellow Wagtails and even these were very flighty. This adult was in heavy moult as can be seen by the pins on the head.

There was also a couple of Common Sandpipers but these were equally flighty and would not tolerate an approach closer than 40 yards, although I did manage to get a fly-past.

At the Layer de la Haye causeway there was a more cooperative Common Sandpiper, although the light left much to be desired. Still, mustn't grumble as it was at least a little more confiding.

Now on to Fingringhoe Wick and I settled into the hide a couple of hours before high tide to watch events on an incoming tide. Black-tailed Godwit numbers were building up nicely and I was hoping that when they got pushed of the mud they would fly past the hide towards Geedons Marsh, but in the event they flew west and went to roost on the pools to the left of the hide.

A couple of Common Terns provided some entertainment before the main movement took place as they fished in the shallows in front of the hide.

At that point the Curlews began to move, leaving The Retreat to fly to their high tide roost on Geedons Marsh. They flew past singly and were all in heavy primary moult, with so many primaries missing it was somewhat surprisinging that they could still fly.

A couple of Redshank lingered in front of the hide as the tide crept in, but eventually joined the flocks of Redshank flying down-river to the communal roost providing some great photo opportunities

I just love Fingringhoe Wick as it always provides an enjoyable day out, even on such a dull day as today.