High Tide at Fingringhoe Wick

24th July 2024

Perhaps a little early in the birding autumn but a visit to Fingringhoe Wick to see how the high tide roost is developing. A particularly high tide today so the inter-tidal area was beginning to fill at least three and a half  hours before high tide, so time to just sit back and watch  the action. The usual suspects were the first to appear like this Little Egret, Oystercatcher and Redshank.

There were an amazing 300 Black-tailed Godwits already back from their breeding grounds, many still in their rusty breeding plumage.

As the water rose some came quite cloe to the hide.

Then there was quite a lot of action as the birds had to continuously move position as the tide started to cover the exposed mud.

One of the biggest surprises today was the appearance of a fully summer plumaged Turnstone. I am usually photographing Turnstones in the winter months so the best I have managed so far are birds still showing some remnants of summer plummage, so this was an absolutte bonus.

Then a fly-past Greenshank on its way to its own private roost so time to have a look.

There were just two Redshank here at mid-day but now at high tide there were 45 Greenshank and two Redshank, but no sign of the Spotted Reddshank that has been here the last couple of days

And finally the Turtle Doves. I had scoured the site whilst waiting for the tide to come in but no sight nor sound of any, although other people had been more lucky. Then as I was walking back to the car I suddenly heard some purring and sitting right in front of me at the top of a dead tree was a Turtle Dove.

It then flew a little further away and landed at the top of a Silver Birch adding a little more colour.

Well, you've gotta get lucky some times!!!!!