Cliffe 5/02/23

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A lovely sunny day, with a light northerly breeze.

Having parked in Salt Lane we headed across the marsh passing the Crystal Lake, a Greenshank being seen on the far side. To the west two Buzzards were circling in the sky. 

It was high tide and the Flamingo Pool had well in excess of 1000 Lapwing plus high numbers of Wigeon and Shoveler. 

The creek was fairly quiet with small numbers of Teal and a couple of Avocet. A white mass on the Essex side of the river revealed where the vast majority of Avocet were present.

On the Alpha pool most birds were to be found in the southern half. The wintering Great Northern Diver was spotted on the far side, though views were quite good.  The Slavonian Grebe was closer and there were three Red-breasted Merganser including two drakes.

Nearer to Bretts a Chiffchaff was fly-catching in the shelter alongside the path and we could hear Bearded Tits in the reedbed.

Pochard and a Tufted Duck

Slavonian Grebe

Chiffchaff 

Goldfinch




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