Tuesday 14 March 2017

Farlington Marshes Fieldtrip.

On Sunday I drove southwards to lead a Surrey Bird Club field trip at Farlington Marshes.

The weather forecast was not promising with heavy rain predicted for most of the morning but fortunately this failed to materialize with any significance. Under an overcast sky and light drizzle just two members, Trevor and Victoria, joined me at 9am for the planned walk around the reserve.

High tide was due at around 11.30 so we started by scanning the extensive mudflats locating numerous Dark-bellied Brent Geese plus good numbers of Shelduck that traditionally overwinter around Langstone Harbour. Small groups of Northern Pintail with the elegant males in their full finery were spotted together with a few waders; Dunlin, Grey Plover, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Curlew.

As the tide rises the Brent Geese leave the harbour to fly into the grazing marsh.

Heading inland towards the stream the first of several Cetti’s Warblers boldly called from the nearby vegetation, typically moving ahead of us out of sight! Amongst a small group of gulls we found two Mediterranean Gulls enabling a clear comparison with their Black-headed companions. A few Lapwing briefly appeared in the sky above the reed bed. Due to the damp conditions, not surprisingly, we failed to see any Bearded Reedlings near the information building where we sheltered briefly from the constant drizzle. At this point Victoria unfortunately decided it was time to return home.

The sun eventually tried to make an appearance and the drizzle finally abated so under a lightening sky and hopeful for an interesting afternoon Trevor and I walked out to rejoin the sea wall path.

Oystercatchers flying across the harbour. This image was taken just a week earlier under better lighting conditions.

With flat calm waters on the falling tide we finally spotted a small flotilla of Red-breasted Merganser, a single female Goldeneye and Great Crested Grebe. An LBJ flitting through the field edge shrubbery was eventually identified as a Chiffchaff. Walking towards The Deeps we added Wigeon, Shoveler plus a distant perched Kestrel eating its prey.

Another image shot a week earlier shows a collection of waders; Dunlin, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Knot: taking refuge on a tiny reducing island at high tide.

At the Deeps, a winnowing Little Grebe failed to make an appearance but a pair of Reed Buntings and Tufted Duck were added to our day list. Several more Skylarks were seen and heard. Having earlier heard a Meadow Pipit calling in flight we located 2 Rock Pipits feeding in and out of the grass margins on the sea wall path.

At around 1.30pm while watching various flocks of waders moving out across the harbour I turned around only to find a Short-eared Owl hunting over the Point and then disappearing out of view. We retraced our steps and relocated this individual sitting on a fence post before it eventually flew of east towards North Binness Island.

Chatting to another birder helped us to get scoped views of a preening Spoonbill at the back of the distant reed bed. A definite rarity for this site and an excellent addition to the trip list. Shamefully I had previously spotted and discounted an unmoving white blob well-hidden way out in the grass as probably a plastic bag!!

Moving further around the Point and thinking that having seen one ‘Shortie’ was a bonus we were delighted to have even closer views of a second bird who after briefly flying around perched on a grassy mound allowing for another photo opportunity.


Short-eared Owl

Returning full circle back to the main pool we enjoyed close views of a feeding Little Egret and Common Snipe and logged 5 Greenshank and a single Spotted Redshank in its typical grey winter garb.

Little Egret.

My thanks to Victoria and Trevor for their company and making this a worthwhile trip to the coast with a final tally of 60 species. FAB.

Linking to:
I'D-Rather-B-Birdin'

15 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great day and a nice variety of birds. It's always good to spot an Owl!

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  2. Brilliant set of shots, the owl looks rather evil at a distance. Those eyes!

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  3. Sorry to hear that you encountered damp weather that day Frank. Sounds like you had a very succesful day anyway, with some good finds. I'm particularly envious of your sightings of the Shorties. They've been in short supply in these parts this winter.

    Best wishes - - Richard

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  4. I so enjoyed all of your beautiful shorebirds Frank and then I got to the Short-eared Owl...what a wonderful sighting and image captures you got. I just love them~

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  5. Bravo pour le hibou, il est magnifique ;-)
    CĂ©line & Philippe

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  6. Absolutely stunning - love the flying birds and the Little Egret and all those ducks, and the owls, what a capture. One time a Barred Owl appeared at a park where we were having a picnic - they are not shy birds and it stayed around a long time - flitting here and there, as if it knew to pose for good photos.

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  7. Beautiful oystercatchers against that blue sky! And awesome owl shots too. Looks like a great day.

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  8. Wonderful series nature shots ~ the owl is my favorite ~ thanks,

    Wishing you a lovely weekend ~ ^_^

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  9. I love SEO's - one day I may get to photograph them - but not today!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  10. Good morning Frank.:) Thank you for your much appreciated visit. Your descriptive post was an enjoyable read, and the many birds you saw, a real treat to see, as a walk like that, for me would be a dream come true.:)

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  11. Thanks so much for your participation this weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'! I never stop enjoying your birding photos. Your images and map detailing was very impressive. Of course, the birds seen also. My favorites are the owls and the oystercatchers in flight. Wow.

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  12. A fabulous range of species, Frank. I am sure it was a great outing. I wish I had been there.

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  13. What an awesome day of birding. Great birds and sightings. I love the Oystercatchers and the Owl. Great series of photos. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy day and new week ahead!

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  14. Love all those amazing pictures especially the Little Egret and the beautiful owl!!! Thanks for sharing:)
    Jessi

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  15. What an amazing collection of images! Love the owls. They are my favorites.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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