Friday 1 November 2013

Low Tide at Cliffe

Had a look from the viewpooint South of Radar Pool and there were about 500 Lapwing, 600 teal, 4 Pintail, 20 Mallard, 20 Shoveller, 1 Avocet.

It was very pleasant to see the few Pintail, upending in the middle distance.

There were about 12 Greater Black-backed Gulls in the distance, with 1 Herring Gull with them I think. GBBs are the largest of the Gulls, monotypic, with about 17,000 UK breeding pairs, and about 75,000 birds over-wintering (BTO). There was a considerable expansion in the twentieth century (Fishing industry?), both in the UK and worldwide, but populations in the UK may have fallen back a little since. Pink legs may help to distinguish from the Lesser with its yellow legs. Individuals may live for more than 27 years.

I stopped by Crystal Lake on the way back, under threat of rain, and there were just a pair of Mallard, and a Moorhen.

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