Very little time today, fortunately the Brent were punctual

A cold, fresh west wind with some heavy showers, mainly of hail

Howard checked the old heliport roost at high water. Unfortunately no Knot roosting, but there was this colour ringed Oystercatcher, probably ringed in Iceland - details awaited.

I just had time for a quick walk long the south wall on the rising tide this morning (MD). The wind was fresher than of late, but the sea was quite under developed and no sign of anything being blown in.

Shelduck 15

Wigeon c150 initially along channel by No.1 outflow, then Red Nab.

Bar-Tailed Godwit 1 flew from north side with the Oystercatchers

Not much of a shot, but when there's not much around, you take what you can!

Pale-Bellied Brent geese 15 - the three that had been feeding near the play area yesterday left at 10:15. Today's tide was 50 minutes later and a similar height, but with the fresh westerly pushing it in I estimated that any Brent feeding at the play area would arrive 30 minutes later c10:45. They arrived at 10:55, if they had come from the play area, it would seem that they hadn't been flushed early by the dog walkers.

This is them arriving.

Pale-bellied Brent geese

They fed around the rock edges to begin with, but then flew onto the rocks as the tide gained height. You can see the lush covering of gutweed on the rocks.

This is where they flew to, a ravine filling with water, allowing the gutweed to float for easier grazing. Both the Brent and the Wigeon are feeding on it.

At this point a heavy hail shower cut short what was already a short visit. Hopefully there will be more variety tomorrow.

This is further out of the recording area than I normally post, but it is a slow news day, and it is a great shot! Howard took this picture of a Purple Sandpiper resting on the Groyne at Park Street

Purple Sandpiper with Turnstone and Redshank 

Possibly more to come, if so I will add later.