After a drive up to Norfolk we stopped in to Titchwell for a look around the reserve, freshly remodelled following the tidal surge of the previous week.
There were loads of birds in the single basin that still held fresh water. Amongst the Golden Plover was an individual with aberrant plummage.
There were loads of birds in the single basin that still held fresh water. Amongst the Golden Plover was an individual with aberrant plummage.
It was obvious that the bank was only just high enough to prevent sea water from swamping the fresh marsh as the high tide mark showed.
The viewing platform had been washed away, the dunes were pretty
much gone with tufts of grass scattered down the beach.
much gone with tufts of grass scattered down the beach.
There is now nothing to keep the sea from flowing into the salt marsh
on the higher than average tides.
on the higher than average tides.
New channels have been carved into the salt marsh.
The pools across the bank now resemble a wader scrape.
The more interesting bird sightings at Titchwell included Great Northern Diver (2), Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck (16), Mergansers, Common Scoters, Ruff (77), Avocet (11), Black-tailed Godwit (12) and Marsh Harrier (2).