WADERS IN THE WIND

It may have felt like spring had arrived here last week but winter hasn't left us just yet. Sunday 18th was cold with a raw northerly wind that whipped up the high tide so much it left many irritated car drivers stranded on the "wrong" side of the flooded Strood causeway onto the Island. Despite the threat of wintry showers in the afternoon it stayed sunny, although it was a job to stand still on the Reeveshall seawall in the strong wind.

One female marsh harrier managed to quarter the Langenhoe Marsh in the wind with ease. Lots of small flocks of waders flashed downwind along the Pyefleet, whilst those heading into the wind made slow progress. Only three great crested grebes were hardy enough to sit in the Channel but even they were being buffeted by the waves.
Usual waders such as dunlin, grey plover, redshank, curlew and one or two knot were seen. Showing signs of spring were three black-tailed godwits amongst a flock of twenty, already in their russet breeding plumage. Also starting to sport their breeding plumage were several golden plovers with their black chests, amongst the group of about 100 in the grass fields.

Around 500 brent geese were tucking into the grass on this sheep field at Reeveshall, feeding up before they start to leave in the next fortnight. A brief scan through the flock revealed one pale-bellied brent in with the dark-bellied flock. Nearby was the odd hybrid greylag goose feeding with eight Canada geese.

Having no problem with flying into the wind was a distant peregrine hurtling over the fields and hedges at the back of Reeveshall. Even when it momentarily disappeared out of view, its progress could still be followed by seeing the flocks of wood pigeons rising into the air.