Halstow Marshes 17th December

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A lovely sunny day, and quite mild so hearing of the (presumably returning) Richard's Pipit I walked north across the marsh from Swigshole, seeing winter thrushes on route, with at least 100 Fieldfare and 50 Redwing. A pair of Stonechat typically showed well.

The pipit had been reported just west of Egypt Bay on the new reserve created by a 700m breach of the sea wall. Having reached this area I fortunately soon heard the distinctive flight call of the bird ahead of me. It landed about 50m away on the marsh side of the sea wall and perched up for a short time on some dead weeds. The pictures below are huge crops so little more than record shots. The bird showed a couple more times but only in flight as it was very wary. On one occasion it stayed in the air for 20-30 seconds calling several times, then hovered briefly before landing, reminding me that this is a characteristic of the species.

On the way back a nice flock of 20 Corn Bunting flew over the marsh.







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