Mistley on the Incoming Tide

28th January 2024

Another visit to the lovely town of Mistley to see how the wader population is faring. It is still four hours before high tide so time to get the chairs out and find a nice sheltered spot on the beach and wait for the tide to come in, hopefully pushing the waders in closer.

Even at low tide a few birds are making the most of the nearby mud such as this adult winter plumage Black-headed Gull. It stood out from the rest because it was sporting a rather conspicuous colour ring JR77 and it turns out that it was ringed as an adult in Norway in 2020. Also nearby were the resident Turnstones which don't need any encouragement to come closer.

The only ducks on show today were a few distant Wigeon and some Shelducks, this one having a bath and drying its wings, and some Pintail.

In previous years it was possible to photograph Goldeneye, Pintail and Red-breasted Merganser off The Quay but these days it is difficult to spot a duck there. Even the Brent Geese were down to about 20 birds.

There are normally good numbers of Avocet at Mistley but they tend to keep their distance, often staying in the main channel or towards the far bank. This pair proved the exception and gave a fly-past.

Eventually the wait paid off and the encroaching tide started pushing the waders towards the beach allowing some great photo opportunities. Just keep still and they will come to you like these Black-tailed Godwits

I don't understand what has happened to the Black-tails at Mistley. When we started coming several years ago Mistley was Black-tailed Godwit City with absolutely hundreds and hundreds of birds. Today there were just a dozen or so on the mud and a flock of 20 flying up river. Also at the present time there are none roosting up by the bridge.

The next to appear were the Redshanks which are and always have been plentiful at Mistley. Great to get these so close.

The tide had now reached the flat mud and was proceeding apace bringing the several hundred Dunlin within range.

These were followed by the Knot which are probaly the most numerous wader at Mistley at the moment, although possibly a close run thing with the Dunlin.

And then as the mud on the river was getting covered more birds were flying in to our area like these Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.

These were followed by more Dunlin and Knot. What an absolutely fantastic experience.

Well Mistly never disappoints but is always different and I am already looking forward to our next visit. A very special thanks to Ed Keeble for providing information on the Black-headed Gull and the Black-tailed Godwit roost numbers, and nice to almost meet Mr and Mrs Paul Fletcher who, while we were in The Stalls, were sitting behind us in The Circle. We know our place!!!