Dec 18th Titchwell

Robin

We arrived at Titchwell greeted by very inquisitive robins today. As Mum and I were changing into our outdoor boots, they hopped right up to us with inches between us and them. They were more than likely after a free hand out, but they were still rather festive-looking with their feathers all puffed out as if ready for their annual Christmas card portraits. Only a week to go!

The freshwater pool at Titchwell today

Away from the festive robins, it was not the most eventful of outings at Titchwell. In fact, the freshwater pool was completely full with water this morning that very few birds were on it. Aside from a few brent geese, shelducks and wigeon on the water as well as a few avocets, ringed plovers, dunlin and a handful of other waders and wildfowl, there wasn't too much to see at this pool. The saltwater pool boasted a lot more birds and some of them were much closer to the main path than the freshwater one. Here, we saw black-tailed godwits, redshanks, curlews, grey plovers and more dunlin and ringed plovers. We also saw at least 2-3 marsh harriers patrolling the reed beds on the far side of these pools.


Look how deep it was!

Brent Geese

Greylag

Avocet

A mixture of waders and wildfowl

Black-tailed Godwit

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Grey Plover

Redshank

Curlew

Oystercatcher

Over on the beach, the tide was out but was showing signs of coming in. The exposed mussel bed and sand were drawing in a frenzy of hungry waders and gulls. The assorted gathering of oystercatchers, bar-tailed godwits, turnstones and other species of waders that I've already seen from the pools were so preoccupied with feeding that I was able to get reasonably close to them without causing them to fly away. One black-headed gull was even bold enough to stand beside my feet.



Bar-tailed Godwit

Grey Plover

Bar-tailed Godwit with three Knot (I think)

Turnstone

Common Gull with Oystercatcher

Black-headed Gull

Reed Bunting

Pink-footed Geese

The real highlight today, though, was seeing thousands of pink-footed geese on the fields just off the reserve adjacent to the site's entrance. It seemed more and more were arriving by the minute and you could see and hear them as they fly in. Their 'pink-wink-wink' calls could be heard from as far as the beach end of the main path. This was a spectacle in both sight and sound. We couldn't help watching them every time they make a commotion.