When you think of Walton-on-the-Naze you normally imagine walking around the acres of grassland, bushes and woodland looking for migrants, but today was going to be different. Because today the bushes were only afforded a cursory glance on the way to the beach. Just as well as it was very quiet with only an inquisitive Willow Warbler showing itself, and a Linnet along the sea wall.
However, on the beach it was very different. This was my first ever incursion on to the beach and I was not to be disappointed as there were a few hundred waders present with lots of activity including fly-pasts by a trio of Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Dunlin, Curlew and Redshank.
Around the rocky pools Ringed Plovers, both adults and juveniles, were scurrying around in search of a tasty morsel, and further out on the rocks some summer plumage Turnstones were not so much turning stones, but turning seaweed.
Rather surprisingly there was only one Knot on the whole beach, and unfortunately a grey juvenile as opposed to a brick-coloured adult.
Today probably the most enjoyable site was 70+ Sanderlings running around feeding frantically on both the rocks and the beach, with most showing the remains of their breeding plumage.
And then time for a break from feeding to share a bath in some nice cold salty water.................
........and then a short flight to a new feeding area.
But the stars of the show today were the Dunlin, not because of their stunning brown plumage, but because they were so confiding which allowed a number of close-ups to be taken. I was only 8 yards from this pair, but still they kept on sleeping, just keeping one eye on me.
In fact they were so concerned by my presence that they even had time for a preen.
Well, what a day. My very first visit to the beach at Walton and it certainly won't be the last!!!
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