The Jet Set

Two Common Sandpipers feeding on the edge of the rapidly drying out bunded pools, plus a Whimbrel poking around the perimeter of the Ash Pool were evidence, finally, of some wader movement at Connah’s Quay this morning.

Migration fascinates me – as I’m sure it does many – and I always imagine how many country stamps these birds would have in their passports - should they have the need to carry one!

With no fear of foreign cultures, unfamiliar cuisine, and no language barrier, many birds are true citizens of the world and a humbling reminder that we human beings didn’t invent the concept of the ‘global village’.

It was also quite ironic to watch a giant airbus wing being freighted along the River Dee - all the fuss we have to go through to do something birds take for granted...

The Black-tailed Godwits must be making final preparations for take off too – many of the birds are now in full breeding plumage. They must make a fabulous spectacle on their breeding grounds; it’s good to know that there is more to Iceland than cod, dodgy banks and Kerry Katona. (And now it appears, ash clouds).

Unexpected visitors included a brace of Twite that put in a brief appearance in front of the west hide – the latest I have ever recorded this species on the estuary.

Connah’s Quay NR 14.4.10

2 Common Sandpiper
1 Whimbrel
1 Greenshank
1 Spotted Redshank
1,100 Black-tailed Godwit
350 Redshank
250 Oystercatcher
30 Curlew
20 Knot
2 Twite
1 GC Grebe

Until later.