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Wednesday 16 February 2011

R.Taw off Pottington Ind Est and Bradiford Reserve

08:50 - 10:15

Bradiford Reserve

3 Gadwall and c40 Teal. Wigeon numbers have dropped considerably, only 2 visible with a few Mallard.

R.Taw.

9 Black-tailed Godwits; 3 Bar-tails; c50 Redshank; c250 Dunlin;
203 Dark-bellied Brent just off Penhill. Some of the Brent were turning somersaults, end over end on the water. Looked very odd.
2 Little Grebe which flew off upstream. What a struggle they seem to have to fly.
2 Grey Plover; and 59 Shelduck just off Ashford sewage works. Apparently "Sheld" is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning "Pied." You learn something about birds everyday.
Also 18 Sanderling `buzzing about.`
4 Great-black backs having a right old feed on a sheep`s carcase in the river.