Farlington Marshes 28th September

The weather was cloudy, but mild with little wind. We saw the usual selection of waders and ducks, the highlight being 3 Little Stint.
The tide was very low as we started the walk and there were lots of waders on the estuary mud. Curlews, Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank were numerous and there were quite a few Little Egret, Starling and Carrion Crow too. Heather spotted a Heron by the moored boats. We stopped for almost an hour to look through the ducks on the main pool in the fields (where the wooden rail and information boards are). Here there were many ducks in eclipse plumage, this meant that all the males look like the females and posed quite a challenge. There were a lot of Shoveler, some Teal and a few Pintail. After a while 3 Little Stint were seen on the edge of the pool. They were very active and good at hiding, but, eventually, everyone saw them. Little Stints are regular, but uncommon at coastal sites in southern England, so we were pleased to see them.
Other species seen as we walked round include several Grey Plovers, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, a Great-crested Grebe, a Sparrowhawk, a few Ringed Plover, a small flock of Wigeon, Turnstone, only a few Dunlin and a Little Grebe.
Tracey also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly and Lyz found a Wheatear.
It is nice to see the winter waders and wildfowl returning.