The strong breeze was ideal for the group of land yachts that raced up and down the flat area in Riverside Park but the birds preferred to stay hidden in the foliage and sightings were low.  Nevertheless it was a glorious day to be out.

Flowers have all but disappeared and just a few berries, hips predominantly, remain on the bushes.  Moles are still highly active producing many new molehills on the lawn near to the Parlour Café.

The ebbing tide provided exposed mud for waders but very few were taking advantage – the lone curlew we see so often, oystercatchers and redshanks amongst them.   To the east of the marina a flock of knot stood motionless facing into the wind and had their heads tucked backwards, all bent to their left and resting on their backs; occasionally one would fly up and land in another part of the group.  Nearby a flock of some 300 brent geese gathered at the water’s edge, some in the water and others on the mud, and at times a small group would simultaneously lift up and fly south chattering as they went.

Next Meeting – Tuesday 16^th January 10.00 meet in the marina car park

Birds: Blackbird, Starling, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Cormorant, Black-headed & Herring Gulls, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Redshank, Knot, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Brent Geese

Flowers: Ragwort, Yarrow, Gorse, Catkins

Other: Mole activity, Hips.

Diane Caulkett