I was aware that the wind speed would reach between 40 and 60 mph on the coast today and arrived at Kilnsea, just before a high spring tide. There appeared little difference between the Humber estuary and the North Sea in terms of the waves crashing on the river side. Waders were waiting for the tide to recede, flying around in loose groups and battling the wind. A small flock of Ringed Plover and Dunlin flew low over the waves. A well timed radio call meant I was able to catch a Grey Phalarope fly past towards the sea, but no time to get the camera on it. The first skua I saw in the estuary was this dark juvenile Arctic Skua. Not good photos but in the wind it was difficult to stand still at times! The next skua looked really interesting. A distinctly greyish bird, slim wings and not as deep bellied as the Arctic. As the skua neared, tail bands were visible as was a dark chest band and a long, projecting tail. This was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua pursuing gulls over the river. The high winds put a wonderful array of birds on Kilnsea Wetlands this morning. The two long-staying juvenile Spoonbills were feeding when I arrived. The wind direction (South) had placed the roosting terns on a nearer bank than usual, giving better views of the juvenile Sandwich Terns. An adult Mediterranean Gull roosting with the terns. There was a great selection of wader species to work through whilst the tide remained high. A Curlew Sandpiper (centre) among the Common Redshanks. Red Knot with these Redshanks. A Pectoral Sandpiper dropped in for only a short time. A juvenile Ruff close by the hide. A fine Red Knot. The only Green Sandpiper seen on the wetland. One of two Curlew Sandpipers present. Black-tailed Godwits were present all day.
Other wader species seen here included Common Snipe, Dunlin, Little Stint, Avocet, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Curlew. Additionally, on the estuary were Grey and Golden Plover and Oystercatcher Finally, this gull (centre) is a sub-adult Caspian Gull, so I was told - not my strong point. Shows a faint neck collar and dark eye. Comments are closed.
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