Sorry, this is one of those posts that runs contrary to the nature of time. After telling you about the visit to Gibraltar Point I still had plenty to tell, and was going to post a second installment on Wednesday. However, as you know, I had a lucky escape yesterday, (or a frustrating waste of time, depending on point of view), and wrote about Carsington Water.
I could have written about my view of the National Health Service, but why bother. They waste enough of my time without me going over it all again.
So, going back in time two days, imagine yourself standing on a windswept saltmarsh, with just a visitor centre, a car park and some bits of whalebone for company.
There’s no explanation with the whale bones, they are lined up and left on the grass. I’m assuming that it hasn’t been done by the person responsible for grass cutting. These could be from the 1985 whale, they certainly look old enough and the size seems right. However, there are a lot of dead whales knocking about on that part of the coast when you start looking at the links. Mass strandings and art installations are all part of the story, and according to this report a sunfish and blue shark were also washed ashore in 1998.
The first birds we saw, whilst walking back to the car, appeared in a big noisy flock, flying between trees. They were against the light and just looked like tubby brown birds. We didn’t have the telescope with us (no more will be said on that subject, as Julia is of the opinion that I mentioned it enough on Tuesday) and we couldn’t get a good look with the binoculars. I couldn’t even get a decent photograph, though we did manage to see streaked underparts, white face markings and black breast markings.
I haven’t seen Corn Buntings for a while, but that’s what they were. In addition they were very vocal (a song described as “jangling keys” in the book) and (biggest clue of all) there was a flock of 40 Corn Buntings recorded in the sightings book.
It was a good start to the day, which got better when we drove to the other car park and heard the call of waders. Two curlews flew over as we were standing by the car deciding which way to go. That made the decision easier.
In the first hide, after mentioning that things would have been better with a telescope (I’m reporting what I said, here, not actually commenting on People Who Forget Your Telescope) we immediately saw a variety of birds, which became better when two avocets flew across to join an assortment of dots in the distance. The dots proved to be more avocets (23 in all, when we managed to count them) though, due to lack of telescope, we had to move hides to complete the count.
Avocets, Canada Goose and Cormorants
There were other birds about, including (on the other side of the road) a male Goldeneye that kept diving just as I tried to take the photo and a pair of mating Mallards. I would normally have allowed them some privacy but the fact they disappeared underwater completely several times made it more more interesting. By the time I got round to using the video button they stopped and swam away. It’s quite clear that Mallard drakes aren’t gentlemen.
There was a lot to see, and we saw quite a lot of it. However, there is still a lot more to see so, as with everywhere we go, we will be going back.
We went home the long way round, but that’s a story for another post.
Gibraltar Point is a fantastic place – there’s always so much to see there. (Mind, I’ve only been two or three times). I’ve never seen Corn Buntings. And you’ve reminded me that I need to visit our local Avocets. It looks like you managed to have a good time despite the missing scope, which you hardly mentioned at all – your forbearance is impressive!
Yes, Gibraltar Point is often overlooked. After not seeing them for years, I was very pleased to see the Corn Buntings. Avocets are always good to see.
Gibraltar Point – where is that?
Go to Skegness and follow the brown signs – it’s about 3 miles to the south.
You do a fair bit of motoring! Anyway, thanks.
No problem – put it on your list in case you’re ever in the area. 🙂
I will 😊
Lovely bird pics; fascinating memory jogger about the whale. I appreciate that you don’t want to spend any more time on NHS, but sometimes their staff need to be informed (many of them don’t know) that you have been forced to pay for their services all your life.
Considering where they are going to shove their equipment I am trying not to upset them. 🙂
Fully understood
🙂 and 🙁
I remember hearing and sometimes seeing corn buntings a lot when I was young but I haven’t seen any for years now Their song makes me think of camping holidays.
Yes, they have become rare in the last 20 or 30 years. It was good to see.
You are right. Watching mating mallards is not for the faint hearted.
Definitely not!
Nice photos from your day at the saltmarsh. The mallard in the last photo looks more like he is water-boarding his mate. 🙂 40 Corn Buntings all singing like jangling keys! You had quite the day!
At one time it looked like he was drowning her! Yes, it was an interesting day. 🙂
Whale bones! Oh, my! And what a beautiful place.
Yes, it’s lovely, but I prefer it in small doses. 🙂