A Return to Old Hall Marshes

4th January 2020

I used to visit Old Hall Marshes in pre-camera days in the 1990s and enjoyed the seven-mile round trip. Most birds were distant, but that didn't matter when armed with a telescope rather than a camera. After a most successful morning at Abberton we had a few hours spare so decided to invest the time in a recce of Old Hall Marshes and, knowing that most birds would be distant, concentrate on Salcott Channel.

The tide was out so the channel was just acres of exposed mud with just a trickle of water down the middle, but was home to hundreds of waders and wildfowl which, contrary to the norm, were using it as a low-tide roost. The duck were mostly Wigeon and Teal.

There were seven species of wader present, although the largest numbers were represented by just Black-tailed Godwits and Golden Plover which were a bit restless. Tucked in amongst them were a few Redshank and four Ruff.

Then an unseen predator spooked the lot giving ample opportunities for some flight shots

Then out of nowhere a large flock of Knot appeared and joined the roost once they had all settled.

Well that was a most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, and I will certainly be back when the light is better.