Snipe, shovelers and a booby.

I have been busy for the past couple of weeks helping my eldest granddaughter sort out her place at Newport University. I had a free day so went to South Gare to see the brown booby, however the weather was poor.

The mist cleared a little but not enough for me to see the bird.

The following Saturday I was at Blacktoft.

The high tides at the end of last month filled the lagoons and the footpaths were also under water. 

Luckily by Saturday the water level had dropped enough for the paths to be dry. There was water now in front of Ousefleet hide and about 1000 ducks were busy feeding. The team were working hard to lower the water levels in the lagoons.

Wednesday the 13th was a better day weather wise so I returned to South Gare.

The bird was on a green buoy, but not on the top.

Saturday the 16th and I was at Blacktoft again. The water level had dropped and Singleton and Marshland had an interesting mix of birds. Ruff, black tailed godwit, redshank and spotted redshank were feeding on the recently exposed mud on the left hand side of the lagoon. On the right hand side the water was a bit deeper and 2 great white egrets and 22 little egrets were feeding.

Lots of snipe and shovelers at Marshland.

Still a few insects about. Lots of redshanks

and a grey heron looks on.

Another sign of autumn was the sight and sound of over a thousand pink -footed geese.