A quick glance at the sightings board indicated where the main interest lay.. a long billed dowitcher and buff breasted sandpiper being the star species. We took a different path to usual, aiming for the sea wall. The path was bordered by large numbers of yellow sunflowers, planted so that the flowers weren't all in flower at once.
We looked over the grasses at the scrapes where we soon found a little egret, ruff, golden plover, snipe, seven curlew sandpipers, four yellow wagtails, several ringed plover and dunlins. A good start for the day!
Unlike on previous visits, the wind was light and we were able to enjoy the view from on top of the sea wall. Black tailed godwits were presenton the scrapes below us as were several avocets. We continued on the path, encountering a herd of young cattle which stood and stared as we approached them but allowing us to pass without incident.
Two birds caught our eye, red legged and beaked, but not the usual redshank. Spotted redshanks we decided and the sightings board back at the visitor centre confirmed this.
Back on the main part of the reserve, we visited two of the hides, adding a party of nine spoonbills to our species list. Numerous small white butterflies were on the wing, also a couple of red admirals, a painted lady and two tortoiseshells. Large flocks of goldfinches were enjoying feeding from teazels.
Sadly both rare bird species were not seen during our visit, but we were able to add a few more ticks to our lists nevertheless.
spoonbills
little egret
golden plover
cattle
snipe
goldfinch
ruff
sunflowers
little egrets
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