Levington

Ernie Lucking is top birder when it comes to finding colour ringed Redshanks; yesterday he read another ten combinations in a roosting flock of 58 on the lagoon.

There was also a Black-throated Diver reported on the this section of river.

Last night was the highest predicted tide of the month and at 4.3 metres they do not come much higher than that unless there is a surge tide as well.  I ventured out to hopefully catch more Redshank in order to individually colour ring them as part of the Orwell Turnover Project.  A chilly night, no moon, cloudy so it was very dark; there was a few light rain showers and light winds at first but by the early hours of morning it was blowing a gale.  Sadly, as usual, there were several people from another walk of life, out lamping for foxes.

Catching was slow at first with most birds being caught in the early hours of the morning.  We were on the marsh for 8 hours and caught 24 birds, that figure may not be high but given the degree of difficulty in catching these birds it was a good nights work.  We colour ringed another 9 Redshank, and caught Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Grey Plover.

I can't wait for the next set of tides.

Bar-tailed Godwit

Anna, wrapped up warm, holding a Godwit

The Bar-tailed Godwit just prior to taking flight