The High Tide Roost at Fingringhoe Wick

29th November 2022

Nearly into December so time to go to Fingringhoe Wick for the high tide roost. As we stepped out of the car a flock of 11 finches were perched high in a bush a short distance down the field. A quick look through the bins revealed that these were in fact Corn Buntings, the first I have seen here. The second photo show the comparison between a Corn Bunting on the left and a female House Sparrow on the right.

First stop was Robbie's Hide as the tide still had a long way to go, so time to see what was on the large expanse of mud. There were a few groups of Brent Geese, but the only waders closer in away from the distant water's edge were this pair of Curlew.

But what was amazing to watch was this group of Avocets that were moving along at a steady pace with their heads almost permanently under the water.

The tide was now nearly in so time to move on to the intertidal area and get settled in Margaret's Hide. Usually this area is dominated by flocks of several hundred Black-tailed Godwits but today there was just one, looking rather lost.

Even the Dunlins were under-represented with just a single flock of 18 birds.

The area was now starting to flood and good numbers of Ringed Plovers were building up

Although there are good numbers of Grey Plover in the area they tend to keep their distance so it was good to get one that came a bit closer than normal.

But the most impressive sight today was the sheer numbers of Golden Plovers which started with just a few individuals flying in, the small islands getting covered......................

.........................to absolutely huge flocks.

Absolutely wonderful!!!!