Bright, windy, towards dusk. Tide out.
Large numbers of Redshank and Oystercatcher seen on the bank of a ridge of land opposite the hide.
Dunlin in smaller numbers (winter plumaged), Greenshank in winter plumage, about a dozen. Curlew scattered around, mainly feeding.
Teal was the most numerous of ducks present - all of similar plumage i.e., the female colouring of eclipse males.
Knot - only a few amongst Redshank - winter plumaged.
Grey Plover - one or two, winter plumaged, also amongst Redshank.
Grey heron - three seen resting on bank earlier.
Carrion Crow - a few scattered amongst waders.
Black Headed Gull - large numbers, with other gulls at roosting time on River Eden estuary.
A larger duck than the teal appeared in groups of three or four. The bird was uniformed mottled plumage, grey-billed, grey-legged with a long slender neck and sharp tail. After extensive reference Pintail was concluded, either female or male eclipse plumage, a new species. Distinguished from Wigeon due to larger mallard-size, than wigeon, also longer neck and bill and absence of wing white on shoulder of male eclipse wigeon.
Mallard also seen in small groups.
Whilst watching Pintail the Redshanks were suddenly 'spooked' and flew towards the sea. The reason became apparent when a hawk rushed into the small estuary and knocked a redshank on the wing to the ground before rounding and pinning the redshank to the ground, 15 yards from the hide. After an extensive study of the surroundings the female Sparrowhawk proceeded to pluck the alive redshank and killed it by eating from the chest area. The hawk finished feeding and took flight about 20 minutes after the attack carrying the dead redshank in its claws.
Further out on the estuary towards St. Andrews, Eider and Herring Gull were present in about a dozen numbers of each. Many Eider were male in eclipse plumage of black and white. Great Black Backed Gull - single bird on mud exposed in front of the hide.
Whilst watching gull numbers building on the mud flats where the eider ducks were, a skein of four small dark-headed geese flew in, which were Pink Footed Geese.
Later a further four geese flew inland before fading light meant watching the estuary any longer became impossible.
18 species including 1 new species.
Another visit to the hide gave: Redshank, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Curlew, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Greenshank, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Wigeon, Pintail, Shelduck, Oystercatcher.
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