Sunday 14th December
No rain today and feeling comparatively mild.
The Meadow was back to "lake mode" today with the waters on the west side actually over the river bank in places and in other areas just leaving a narrow strip of grass. An evening visit to view from the west bank of the river found a most impressive sight with large numbers of birds of all types present and feeding well. There were the BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, RUFF and DUNLIN still around (WoM estimates: 16+,8+ and 6+ respectively) and a few REDSHANK also around still. A huge 1000+ GOLDEN PLOVER flock took to the air at one point and I was told that there were the same number again still on the the ground so a vast number about. All the usual ducks were around including some gadwall as well. The gull roost was huge and most impressive, perhaps 1500+ birds and contained at least two YELLOW LEGGED GULLS in amongst them.
There are always black-headed gulls around on the Meadow and there was a large number in the roost this evening. At present there is so little light and the birds are so far away that it is hard to take any decent photos so here's one taken back in August in sunnier conditions © Adam Hartley
The Meadow was back to "lake mode" today with the waters on the west side actually over the river bank in places and in other areas just leaving a narrow strip of grass. An evening visit to view from the west bank of the river found a most impressive sight with large numbers of birds of all types present and feeding well. There were the BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, RUFF and DUNLIN still around (WoM estimates: 16+,8+ and 6+ respectively) and a few REDSHANK also around still. A huge 1000+ GOLDEN PLOVER flock took to the air at one point and I was told that there were the same number again still on the the ground so a vast number about. All the usual ducks were around including some gadwall as well. The gull roost was huge and most impressive, perhaps 1500+ birds and contained at least two YELLOW LEGGED GULLS in amongst them.
There are always black-headed gulls around on the Meadow and there was a large number in the roost this evening. At present there is so little light and the birds are so far away that it is hard to take any decent photos so here's one taken back in August in sunnier conditions © Adam Hartley