Farlington Marshes

The south-coast is now in reach, a generous hour and fifteen away and proves to be a great escape when on a Saturday the hangover of a working week feels heavy on the mind.

The initial part of the walk round the reserve is dominated by the sound of thunderous traffic belting along the A27.  Heading towards the estuary, the traffic fades out to a distant hum, replaced instead by the echoes of piping waders as they began to fly in on a rapidly rising tide.

Only common waders but a joy to see large groups of Common Redshank, their red legs illuminated by the warm sun that had finally penetrated the grey skies.  There were decent numbers of Dunlin on the lake, many still in summer plumage.  Black-tailed Godwit began to fly in, around seven Greenshank were mobile, with two Whimbrel and a Turnstone seen off-shore.  A minimum count of 117 Grey Plover were occupying the exposed islands with small groups wheeling around the bay, many again still in summer attire.  Oystercatcher had occupied their own island further out.  A single Common Sandpiper flicked low across the water.

The day was capped by some bonus species.  An autumn Whinchat was new for the year seen perched on wires close to the pool.  Three Swift were battling the warm breeze, and a small group of Sand Martin were hawking insects oover the pool.

Triple bonus points went to the Cattle Egret that took a while to emerge but flew past before settling down low in the long grass.  This represented my 200th UK species for the year.  This was added to by a first-year Yellow-legged Gull on the pool by the information centre.