Birdwatching before the rain at Goldcliff

 

Goldclif Lagoons entrance

I am absolutely fed up with this relentless rain. It's been non-stop since January 1st. Not a day has passed without a shower, and for the most part, it's been dull and grey outside.

This morning I woke up and thought, "To hell with it all", I am going out for some fresh air, and I didn't care less if I got a bit wet and muddy.

So off I went in the car to Goldcliff, stopping en route for a quick pit stop at Greggs. A bacon sandwich and a latte were exactly what I needed to warm me up and give me some well-needed energy to brave the strong wind blowing as I walked excitedly into the reserve.

I found Goldcliff Lagoons to be wet and muddy underfoot - you really do need wellies when you visit at the moment. Up in the sky, there was a streak of blue sky, and the rain showers were temporarily on pause.

I started my bird therapy in Hide 1. The reserve's three lagoons were brimming with water, which was not a surprise to me at all.

Up above Becs Lagoons, I could see a flock of Lapwings that appeared to have been spooked by something. Any bird that was out there looked alarmed. The ducks were in the water and flocking together. It was a classic reaction to a predator. I scanned the skies but could see no birds or prey.

I was hoping a Hen Harrier ( female Ringtail) would show itself during my visit; unfortunately, it was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps from Hide 2, my view would be better, so I decided to trudge through the mud and take a look from this hide.

As I entered Hide 2, something black and falcon-like caught my eye as it darted low across the ground and landed on a grassy bank between Monks and Priors Lagoon. There was my antagonist, a Peregrine Falcon.

Peregrine Falcon

It sat there for about fifteen minutes keeping a watchful eye on the skies above before flying off low across Piors Lagoon out of sight. I did not see it again during my visit after that.

My eyes were starting to water from facing the wind when looking out of the hide, so it was time to give them a rest and make the most of the lack of rain and walk further around the reserve.

From the Marsh Platform, I noticed that Piors seemed to be the staging point for an invasion of coot. I have never seen so many - at least 30 birds.

A flock of Gadwall

I stopped counting them when suddenly a flock of Gadwalls went quackers in panic and nosily took the sky.

Following behind them came a quartering female Marsh Harrier. She was a fine specimen of a bird. I am particularly fond of Marshies, and I really enjoyed watching her rather unsuccessful hunting mission to the lagoons.

Marsh Harrier (female)

She headed out of the reserve, flying over Becs Lagoon. As she did so, a big flock of Curlews erupted from the far side of the reserve and flew over the seawall,l taking major evasive action in response to the Harrier.

Curlews

It was good to see the Curlews. They had probably been roosting on the lagoon as the tide was really high this morning, so it would have pushed them off the salt marsh.

That was just about all the exciting stuff from this morning to report. By 10 am, the rain was pouring down, and I was back in the car and heading homeward.