Monday, 4 February 2013

Hoylake High Tide (Almost) - 1 October 2012


Another morning rain-dodging led me to Hoylake for a midday high tide and a look at the many waders that gather here at high water. First to arrive (gulls apart) was a 500 strong parcel of Ostercatchers, a magnificent sight as they dropped – domino fashion – in a long line across the shoreline.

Next in, were 20+ Curlew and a few Cormorants. Then came the amazing spectacle of large flocks of waders flying in, some landing immediately, others circling in tight flocks before landing. These flocks were mainly Dunlin and Sanderling, and one big flock of Knot. The number of birds landing within a 10 minute spell totalled well over 2000. Scanning through them, I found a few Ringed Plover, 16 Grey Plover with one bird still in moult from its black breeding plumage, and 15 Bar-tailed Godwit. Out at sea were 5 Shelduck and a few passing Cormorant.

I must admit that I got this wrong today, as I did not check the high tide height and it was not big enough to bring the birds further up the shore. In fact they were so far away that a number of dogs on the beach did not flush any of the birds.

2000 Waders - out there somewhere! 

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