Thrushes galore!

A pleasant walk along the North Wall in the sunshine made a pleasant change from the rather dire weather of late. 
Although the Breech Pool was devoid of anything interesting the bushes were full of life!

A very confiding female Reed Bunting.

Yellowhammers....

 

...and thrushes - dozens of Song Thrushes, Redwings, Fieldfares and although not seen, a Mistle Thrush calling.

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Redwing

Redwing

Redwing

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare and Redwing

...and finally, the local well fed, 'tame' fox.

A pleasant midday break...the sun made a brief appearance.

The day started gloomily and ended gloomily but at midday there was a break in the clouds and the sun shone. It was a high spring tide and the waders were searching for a suitable high tide roost wheeling over the harbour, the sunshine highlighting their gleaming underwings...

Dunlin, Knot, Grey Plover all vying for a spot on the marsh.

 The Goldeneye had moved into the harbour 

 ...but took flight as I watched them

...and soon returned to the Lagoon.

 There was an influx of Rock Pipits and Meadow Pipits on and around the Little Lagoon.

 This one favoured a puddle in the old car park.

 A pair of Stonechats have been present for a week or so; this male on a bramble overlooking the lagoon.

 A small flock of Canada Geese have been accompanied by one or two Greylag Geese but today there were three.

Here's one.

                                 A pleasant 30 minutes!

The Goldeneye have arrived.

A cold morning with sleet  freezing on the windscreen first thing and the grass showing a hint of overnight snow. As predicted in my last blog it maybe time for Goldeneye to arrive and yes, this morning on the Lagoon, not one but two drakes and later accompanied by two females. Winter has arrived.....

Not one....

...but two!

...and later accompanied by two females.

Little Grebes are quite skittish and will dive at out of sight as soon as approached....this one was caught just before it dived and swam underwater surfacing a long way off.

They have particularly attractive 'fluffy' rear ends!

Incidentally there were six Little Grebes on the new lagoon today.

Wigeon...

 Up,up...

...and away.

This little jewel was noticed hiding in the brambles overlooking the Lagoon.

That's it for today but I was pleased to see the Goldeneye...superb ducks!

November....winter is not far away.

The last week or so has been exceptionally mild for the time of year....most of the usual suspects have been present in the harbour but as yet I have not noted any Goldeneye, usually seen on the Lagoon by now. Brent numbers have continued to build up and this one allowed a particularly close approach but I noticed its eye seemed a little  glazed (never a good sign of  healthy bird).

 A Grey Heron visits the new lagoon twice a day and seems successful in catching small fish and eels.

Mediterranean Gulls have taken a liking to the new lagoon and I have been trying to photograph  them alongside Black Headed Gulls for comparison as they search for food along the incoming tide.

 ....and just for comparison Black Headed Gull

Mediterranean Gulls with Herring Gull

...with immature Herring Gull


...more Herring gulls 


Turnstones are almost always seen turning stones in search of food along the tide line.

 In Whites Creek this afternoon a lone Golden Plover with a group Lapwings.

The wind has gone round to the east today and the forecast is for distinctly cooler weather....maybe this will bring in the Goldeneye and perhaps even a Smew.