Birdwatching Trip Report – 15th August

Birdwatching Trip Report – 15th August 2021 Steve Waite The third evening Birdwatching Tram Special of the season left Seaton Station at 6pm with a full top-deck of keen enthusiasts. The weather was overcast and dry, offering the best viewing conditions when looking both east and west from the tramline. A glimpse of the sun late in the trip gave the valley a wonderful golden glow.

The variety of wading birds were the highlight with twelve different species noted, including two Wood Sandpiper, seven Common Sandpiper, two Greenshank, up to thirty Dunlin, two Whimbrel, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, seven Ringed Plover, six Lapwing and the usual Oystercatchers, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.

Large numbers of gulls were resting on the estuary and included unusually high numbers of both Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, this allowed for excellent comparisons between the two. The smaller size and bright yellow legs of the latter easy to spot in such ideal viewing conditions. A lone adult Mediterranean Gull was sat in one of the closest groups of Black-headed Gulls on Black Hole Marsh much to the delight of all onboard.

Two brief sightings of Kingfisher included a bird perched on a fallen tree on the tide line. A male Stonechat showed off its pristine plumage in style, sat out on top on a post for all to see, as this species so often does. The next trip is scheduled for Saturday 11th September, leaving Seaton Station at the new morning start time of 8am. You can book online, over the phone or at either of our two Stations.