Another Visit to Two Tree Island

10th January 2024

Time for another visit to Two Tree Island which is fast becoming one of my favourite reserves in Essex. A bit late arriving today and the slipway was already awash, so straight on to Monty's Look-out.

The lagoon was fairly quiet with just a few Wigeon, a lone Redshank and a handful of rather obliging Grey Plovers.

There used to be 100s of Black-tailed Godwits here and in September 2023 there were indeed about 300, but today there were none at all. However from over the river about 100 Bar-tailed Godwits flew in and landed at the far end of the lagoon.

Avocets also started to fly in as they were pushed off their shallows and numbers gradually built up to 50+ birds.

By now much of the mud on the estuary was covered and the first flocks of waders started to arrive, mainly Dunlin with the odd Knot mixed in.

They then all settled down for a snooze.

Then came the largest contingent, the Knot, and the sound of the wings as they bank past the hide is absolutely amazing.

Then they peel off to land in small groups until just about every bit of island is taken.

Every now and then they get spooked and take to the air for another fantastic display until they judge that the danger has passed.

Two Tree Island gets better every year!!!