John and Roger’s Most Excellent Tidal Adventure

mostly Eurasian Wigeon

Yesterday, November 14th, the rising tide did exactly what it was predicted to do, and stopped at the “old” boardwalk hides at the appointed hour - about 10:00hrs.

Eastern Buzzard - Buteo japonicus

Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola

But I’m getting ahead of myself - Roger Muscroft and I got out to the farthest hide and enjoyed a couple of hours as the tide rose in front of us and the sun shone from behind.

Black-faced Spoonbill - Platalea minor

Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia

Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia

(left) Pallas's Gull - Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus

A number of winter’s “Usual Suspects” were on show, with a couple of more unusual birds as well.

Then, after the rising waters had swirled around the outermost hide. we retreated to the oldest boardwalk hides for the final act. There we found a diminishing tongue of wet mud, with the tide still rising.

Chinese Pond Heron - Ardeola bacchus

Pied Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta

At the tide's peak, a variety of shorebirds -  including these Pacific Golden Plover -  had advanced reasonably close to the hides.

Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva

Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva

As the tide fell again, the birds seemed unsure what to do, until they were cleared off the tideline by this Peregrine.

A natural climax to a fine morning's birding.  it was time to leave.

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus

“Most Excellent*, Dude !"

* The internet; - home of hyperbole !