Curlew Sandpiper & Little Tern added to year list.

Friday 19th May 2023.

Farlington Marshes reserve entrance. Wintercress was growing by the main gate.

A quick check on Birdguides after I finished my first shift this morning, revealed that both a Curlew Sandpiper and a drake Garganey were on the Lake on Farlington Marshes. Needing both species for a ‘year-tick’, I headed off down to my favourite location. The weather was spot on, with light clouds, hardly any wind and not too warm either, which was a bonus. There was also a rising tide within Langstone Harbour, which could possibly bring in something good and at this time of year, who knows what could turn up?

Above, a Little Egret preening close to the Viewing Platform by the Lake.

Above, the Curlew Sandpiper at the back of the Lake and below, a squabbling pair of Avocets also on the Lake.

Parking up easily near the main entrance, I made my way along the footpath to the main Lagoon (the Lake) and quickly got my scope out to check the many waders on the water there. A pair of Swifts swooped low over my head and headed off south over the reserve and at least three male Common Whitethroats were in song and holding territory near the footpath. A scan out in the harbour revealed no waders at all on the mudflats, with just a few Gulls out in the harbour, so I concentrated on the main Lake.

Above, another photo of the Curlew Sandpiper. Below, a small flock of Black-tailed Godwit.

Below, a pair of Avocets were among at least 10 birds on the main Lake.

Up to 10 Avocets were feeding on the Lake along with at least 25+ Black-tailed Godwit and 10 Redshank, but it was on the south-east side of the Lake that I spotted some smaller waders feeding along the water's edge. Among two Dunlin and a Ringed Plover, I found the adult Curlew Sandpiper that was just about coming into summer plumage. It has been some years since I have seen a ‘Spring’ ‘Curlew Sand’ and so I was pleased with that. However, on the downside, there was no sign of the drake Garganey reported at 8 am and so I assume that the bird had flown.

Above, a pair of Tufted Ducks on a small pool on the south side of the reserve as I was walking around the seawall. Below, Hoary Cress was growing abundantly in various places around the seawall.

Above, this male Common Whitethroat was singing near the Point Field. One of many seen today.

Other birds in and around the Lake area included a couple of Common Buzzards perched on the fence posts behind the main reedbed and later on my return, after walking around the reserve, a male Kestrel were the only other raptors seen today as it flew low close past me heading south. Both Bearded Tits and Reed Warblers were seen flitting about in the reedbeds and a couple of Reed Buntings were also noted. The lure of Little Terns out in the harbour had me packing away my scope and therefore I made my way anticlockwise around the reserve.

Above, Common Vetch growing along the footpath. Below, Shelduck were gathering up in the fields.

Above, there were quite a few Gadwall scattered about the reserve this morning. Below, this Sedge Warbler performed well perched on Hemlock.

By now the tide was rising and most of the mudflats were now covered. On the south side of the reserve, a lone Avocet was wading in a small pool by the footpath and a pair of Tufted Ducks and a drake Gadwall were swimming in the same pool. Out in the fields, Canada Geese were tending to their many Goslings and the Lapwing were chasing off the Crows over the reserve. Both Skylarks and Meadow Pipit were singing and a few Mediterranean Gulls drifted over, calling in doing so.

Above, this singing Sedge Warbler was in the Point Field. Below, Hemlock Water Dropwort on the footpath by the Point Field.

Above, good numbers of Linnets, including this gorgeous male bird, were around the reserve. Below, Spotted Medic grows in various places on the reserve.

As I neared the Point Field, there was a chap there filming some birds and on closer inspection, after taking a few more Common Whitethroat photos (they were everywhere!), I got some nice photos of a singing Sedge Warbler in one of the brambles and the tall Hemlock plants. In fact, there were three male birds all trying to outsing each other and occasionally doing their display flight. After feasting myself on this spectacle, I carried on walking around the Point Field and noticed not one, but three Harbour Seals off the seawall. One was very close (see film footage and photo) to the seawall and another even had both its head and tail out of the water!

This Harbour Seal showed very well just offshore from the Point Field.

Film footage of the Harbour Seal off Farlington Marshes this morning.

As I neared the Deeps, I scanned the harbour to the east and came up with my first Little Tern of the year; though it was a distant bird flying away from me, it was so distinctive. I saw another one near the islands again, but all the sightings remained distant. A lone Great Crested Grebe swam in the harbour, but there was no sign of any Ospreys on North Binness islands. The Deeps held a good number of breeding Black-headed Gull and even some young were present on one of the rafts. There was just the one Common Tern perched on one of the rafts, while closer to where I stood, both Cetti’s and Reed Warblers were flying and singing along the creek adjacent to the harbour wall. Sadly, Bird influenza looks to be happening here too as I found at least 5 dead Gulls around the edge of the Deeps.

Above, the remnants of Winter past with three Brent Geese still on the reserve. Below, nesting Black-headed Gulls on the Tern rafts with young on show as well.

Above, there was only one Common Tern on the Deeps area.

A very brief film footage of the singing Sedge Warbler on the Deeps.

Linnets were abundant today along the brambles and even more Common Whitethroats were seen. I checked the Cattle present in the fields for any Yellow Wagtails around their feet, but none today. A single Swallow (the only one seen today) flew close past me and a  noisy flock of Oystercatchers flew past overhead and then returned towards the Deeps area. Up to three Brent Geese were lazing about in the fields just past the Deeps and looked more than happy in spending the Summer here. Approaching the top end of the Stream near the Info Building, again, there was no sign of the drake Garganey with just a large gathering of Gulls, including one Med Gull, that dropped in briefly. Both Reed Bunting and Reed Warbler were singing deep within the reedbed and also a few more Bearded Tits were also heard.

Above, Wintercress growing on the reserve and below, a pair of Mute Swans flying over the Tern Rafts on the Deeps area.

Above, a small flock of Oystercatchers flew over my head near the Deeps and below, a showy Lapwing was in a field close to the main footpath. 

The Stream area was relatively quiet with a few Black-tailed Godwit, around 4 Gadwall and a Grey Heron putting in an appearance. A lone Little Grebe swam on the water, looking good in its summer plumage now. In summary, a cracking walk around the reserve with plenty to look at and a good variety of flowering plants on show as well that included Spotted Medic, Wintercress, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Hoary Cress, Common Vetch and Cowslip. The only butterfly seen was a Small White flitting about by the car park as I was getting back into the car.   

This adult Med Gull popped in quickly for a quick bathe before heading off back to the harbour.

The Curlew Sandpiper among Black-tailed Godwits this morning on the main Lake.