Ruff and ready!

This morning saw one of my best visits to Goldcliff in a long time, with sixty species seen on and around the lagoons and a mass of birds everywhere. In fact, myself and my birding friend Blair spent the first three hours of the visit routed to the Lapwing viewing screen, where an abundance of species awaited us.

Knot and several Black-tailed Godwits

En-route to the platform were Chaffinches, a Pheasant, Wrens, Blackbirds, Woodpigeons and Chiffchaffs - the latter in full song. Once at the platform where I joined Blair and another birder Paul, the scene before us was an awesome spectacle. Canada Geese and Mallards were scattered around the lagoon, but right in front of us was an excellent count of 321 Black-tailed Godwits, many of which are nearly in full breeding plumage and showing off their fine dark-red colouring. The Wigeon numbers have dropped since our Wednesday evening visit, but Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall were still plentiful. Lapwing were busy chasing off any Crows or Ravens that passed over the lagoons, and the Avocet were busy feeding. Three of the Avocets had colour rings (the details have been sent off to the wader study group).

Black-tailed Godwits coming in to land.

Every time a gull or corvid passed over too low, the Godwits took flight, giving us an amazing aerial display as they twisted and turned before eventually settling down. Two Sand Martins passed overhead later followed by five more. Curlew, Oystercatchers, Black Headed Gulls, Skylarks and Greylag Geese all added to the scene, and there seemed to be birds everywhere. Nine Dunlin managed to sneak in to join the 35 Knot huddled along the edge of the island, and as we scanned through the wader flocks a Ruff was picked out. This was my first for this year and the legs were lovely and bright, and the tell-tale scallop markings on its back gave away its identity straight away.

 Distant shot of the Ruff.

Whilst all this was going on, we kept an ever open lookout for Flossy the Glossy which was nowhere to be seen. We wondered if it had finally moved on, but then at 0735 it actually flew in, so it had not spent the night roosting on the lagoons by the look of things. It eventually flew off again at 1045hrs. By now, we had enjoyed continuing to watch the mass of Godwits, Knot and Avocets taking flight numerous times when spooked by potential predators, only to repeat the process of entertaining us as they flew around before descending onto the lagoon and the island again. Eleven Ringed Plovers were picked out along the edge of the island along with a single Little Ringed Plover which was promptly flushed by the Ringed Plovers. A lone Fox patrolled the outer fence cordon, looking intently at the Canada Geese and the Starlings close by, before it disappeared down into the Pill.

Some of the 321 Black-tailed Godwits in flight over the lagoons.

In the distant was a Woodpecker drumming away and a Cettis Warbler called close by from deep within the Blackthorn thickets. Magpies and Reed Buntings were close by and a single Stock Dove passed overhead as did a Collard Dove. A possible Peregrine was following the fence line but it quickly disappeared from view before a confirmation could be had. A female Marsh Harrier quartering the lagoon was a certainty though. Two Little Egrets passed over and later two more were added to the total.  A pair of Rooks called as they passed by - a species not often seen here, and a pair of Mute Swans flew in accompanied by a Black Swan, its wings looked very white and the red bill was very noticeable. This was a lovely surprise and added to an impressive and growing day list.

Avocet preening after a good feed.

Eventually after three excellent hours on the platform, we began to make our way around to hide three. There was a high tide so we saved time scanning from the sea wall and made our way to the hide for more birds, a flask of tea and some sandwiches. From the third hide we relocated the Little Ringed Plover and a Wheatear on the banking showed briefly before flying right past the hide, only to be joined by a surprise second Wheatear we didn't even realise was about. Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Goldfinches were added to the list and the Peregrine made an appearance, and although it was quite high up, the waders had clocked it and immediately began flying about in mass, giving off their alarm calls and sending the rest of the waders into the air again. As we sipped our teas, the Glossy Ibis came back in and landed on the banking to begin preening itself.

The Ibis coming back in for a second time.

A Kestrel made an appearance as did a Pied Wagtail and five Common Snipe were huddled up well camouflaged in their usual spot. As we walked back to the car park, we reflected on what had been one of the best mornings for a very long time. To see several hundred Godwits, a number of Knot, Avocet, Redshanks and Dunlin all flying around together in coordinated twist and turns is an amazing spectacle. Lets just say, we were very contented bird watchers today.

One of the two Northern Wheatears from hide three.

Pictures: Copyright of N Davies.