Exciting developments in the harbour.

 Although at quite a distance, against the light and with the wrong lens there is no doubt these three ducks are Goosanders but initially without optics I thought they were Red Breasted Mergansers. My first this Autumn. The giveaway was the repeated snorkelling and the stand up wing flapping so typical of this species.

It has been interesting to see the work being carried out to create  a new harbour entrance...at last! 

After years of planning and deliberation, delays and frustrations the work is now under way (see http://paghambeach.blogspot.co.uk )

A new island in the harbour is being created in the hope of attracting Little Terns to breed besides, hopefully, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers. During the past few days this work seems to have been completed so it will be interesting to note that this will be used as a wader roost at high tide etc. It will require a new name to identify it  as Tern Island  is well established and New Island is now being referred to as Peregrine Island.

Since this photo the 'pyramids' have been levelled and it will hopefully soon become a natural island.

Birding has been rather thin on the ground since my last blog but here are a few recent random shots of the locals. 

Some of the early arrivals of Brent Geese. There appears  be be a low percentage of younger birds with them to date.

A pair of stonechats have made an appearance on the spit.

Up to eight Reed Buntings have been seen feeding on weed seeds around the Little Lagoon area.

A few Chiffchaffs have been noted in the dead gorse 

Several Meadow Pipits have been regulars for a week or so on the spit,

...and finally a rather uncommon Common Gull