Raptors

A flying visit today produced plenty of raptors. Three Kestrels took turn in being the target for Raven belligerence, each skilfully evading the mighty corvid by just inches.

A pair of Buzzards sat on posts not doing much and a Sparrowhawk zipped in and out going unseen by the estuary residents.

It was a different case when a Peregrine went on the rampage - just about every other bird was in a panic as the falcon hunted unsuccessfully before alighting on the mudflats no more than three feet from a frozen Curlew. It was comical to watch as the wader slowly inched itself away from the predator not daring to make any sudden movements.

However, the star of the show was a Hobby passing through, even though it was only around for a matter of seconds.

High Tide

A fairly quiet scene on the incoming tide meant the only small waders initially on display were two Dunlin and a Turnstone, small numbers of Redshank and Lapwing were also dotted about.

Walking further up river I came across a single Meadow Pipit - the first of the autumn - and a Wheatear perched on a log. Wildfowl numbers on the increase here with at least a few dozen Teal.

As the tide turned the birds appeared. A flock of small waders mainly made up of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers also held two Sanderling. A Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sanpiper and a Greenshank were other birds of note.

Golden

With this morning's tide receding faster than Alan Shearer's hairline, the estuary was once again open for business.

First bird of the day was a Grey Wagtail quickly followed by a pair of Golden Plover half way between the cut and the mouth of the Gele.

Up to six Little Egret were knocking about between the cut and the railway bridge, the most I've seen down here all year.

This obliging Common Sandpiper has been present in the same location on my previous few visits, in an area also favoured by several Common Gulls.

Further up river towards Rhuddlan five Teal were amongst masses of Greylag and Canadas. Raptors on show were two Buzzards and a male Kestrel.

Mystery wader

Joined up with Clwyd regular Tony this morning. After nearly giving him a heart attack it was on with the birding.

A pair of Blackcap up by the railway line were feeding up on elderberries, one of them an immature male.

The estuary itself wasn't too busy but still held the expected species including good numbers of small waders, namely Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Just the one Common Sandpiper on display today, I expect more were hiding in the channels.

A walk further up river produced a Sparrowhawk making a sortie along the cut and young Buzzard allowed a close approach.

At the mouth of the Gele eagle-eyed Tony picked out a small wader amongst three Greenshank. Conditions were not favourable though with obscured views, wind-shaken scopes and a x60 zoom needed just to see it properly. The unidentifiable bird caused much flicking through Collins without drawing any conclusion.
Nevermind, it was probably just a Least Sandpiper...

Autumn is upon us

With the temperature this morning not venturing into double figures there was a definite autumnal feel in the air. Fitting then that the first bird I locked onto was a Whimbrel, scampering along the mudflats with a the mist cloaked Clwydians as a backdrop.

Two Peregrines were present, one on top of its usual pylon perch, the other eyeing the waders from an old post just yards from the river.

One Black-tailed Godwit on the river along with three Common Sandpipers added to the regulars, while two Little Egret fished by the railway bridge - there have been up to five in this location recently.

On the way back I had yet another Lesser Whitethroat hopping through the scrub but still giving great views - earlier this year I couldn't buy a view of one of these warblers but at the moment I'm picking at least one up on most visits. Hope to see a couple more before they head off.

Return of the Teal

This morning saw the return of the first Teal to the river in the shape of two females. Another notable which left almost as quickly as it came was a single Greenshank, alerted to its presence by the call - which isn't heard too often on the estuary - the bird flew in, fed for less than a minute and was off again.

Four Common Sandpiper and an ever increasing flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover made for interesting viewing albeit without finding anything amongst them, still a touch early yet though as the first Curlew Sandpipers have arrived here like clockwork for the last two years rocking up on 10th September both times.