The start of a new month saw us leading a group around Upton Country Park this afternoon. We knew we wouldn't see anything scarce or rare but it was just nice to get out and see what was around locally. Walking through the park down to the bay we saw many of the usual parkland birds, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Coal Tit and Goldcrest. Approaching the site of the old hide we had a Jay one of five seen in the park all very busy burying acorns for the harder months to come. Over the north west part of Holes Bay there were good numbers of waterfowl the most common were Teal and Wigeon with fewer Mallard, Pintail. A single Avocet, several Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew, Little Egret and Grey Heron.
Moving on we passed the pond, where we had close views of an immature drake Shoveler. From the stone bench we had closer views of the Teal, with a few Pintail. Following the woodland path through to the north east section of Holes Bay, despite the very low tide we found plenty more waterfowl. In the distance we could see some white backs moving back and forth in the main channel, Spoonbills. We moved further round to gain better views and to our surprise there were eleven of them, not just the usual heads tucked under wing motionless, they were actively feeding and preening. On the mud were a large number of Common Redshanks, with a fewer number of Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits.
On the way back along the path a few Starlings caught our attention, then we found a few Redwings nearby as two Mistle Thrush flew noisly over us.
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| Immature drake Shoveler on the park Pond |
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| Lucky to get a digi shot of these three Spoonbill they were so distant |
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