Two adult Black-tailed Godwits. Presumed islandica (Icelandic population) based on intensity of upper part colouration and aged on plumage and also moulting of inner primaries (adults moult following the breeding season). Birds head from Iceland to moulting areas such as the Thames Estuary and UK South Coast. As autumn/winter progresses many fly further south (as far as Iberia and N.Africa) before heading north often via Ireland completing a round trip. In reality many migrants don't have summer and wintering areas- often they are always moving.
Black-tailed Godwits and juvenile gulls (towards left). Two fairly typical juvenile Herring Gulls but also a contrasting bird which could be a Lesser Black backed or a Yellow-legged Gull.
Presumed juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, contrasting bird with whitish head, dark around eye, shawl, pale primary window and distinctive tail band reducing in depth centrally-distally.
Another brood of Tufted Duck- been a very good season for Tufties. Over 50+ chicks on the lakes at the moment. Also Great Crested Grebe chick still going.
A north easterly airflow and some rain today produced the first noteable autumn arrival of migrants; 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, (also 15 Lapwing and 1 Green Sandpiper on the lakes), 1 juvenile Med Gull, 1-2 juv Yellow-legged Gull, 18 Swallow, 12 Sand Martin and 92 Swift.
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