Stanpit Marsh 23rd Sept (pm)

A beautiful, warm and sunny autumn afternoon was greatly appreciated by the 9 who came on this walk. We saw a nice variety of waders including Greenshank, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper. Nothing out of the ordinary though.
We first walked up onto the golf course where we could view Priory Marsh. The light was not good as we were looking into the sun, but we identified several Teal, Lapwing, a Heron, Cormorant, Little Egret and one Greenshank. Two Whimbrel flew over calling.
As we walked along the path towards the river a Kestrel was seen hunting over the marshy fields. Nothing out of the ordinary on the river, Mallards, Coot, Mute Swan and Black-headed Gull. We did get good views of one Lesser Black-backed Gull. The dark grey (as opposed to jet black) back and the yellow as opposed to pinky) legs could be seen to identify it from Great Black-backed Gull. Two Linnets were also seen feeding on the grass by the path.
As the path turns away from the river it goes past salt-marsh that had lots of Sea Aster flowering looking like purple daisies. Along one channel a Common Sandpiper was seen feeding with a couple of Redshank. A little further along the path we could see the mudflats and many waders. There were Redshank, Curlews, a few Black-tailed Godwit, many Wigeon, a few Brent Goose and 1 Spotted Redshank appeared briefly. A little further round and Lyz found us a Greenshank running along the mudflats. It was very impressive just how many birds were out on the mudflats.
On the grassy areas there were two Wheatear, Starlings, Pied Wagtails and a couple of Stonechats. Several Swallows flew past.