Curlews are not doing so well, so it was good to see a nice flock of them feeding on coastal grassland a couple of days ago along with lots of Oystercatchers. Curlews get down to breeding later than most waders so it was not surprising to see them on the coast, however, in this strange Spring we have also seen flocks inland for the past two weeks. Perhaps these were non-breeders. The wind was blowing hard, so the Purple Sandpipers, Redshanks and Turnstones were sheltering along the harbour wall while the gulls braved the wind on the top! The male Eiders bobbing about in the waves are colouring up nicely now ready for breeding time - it must be nearly Spring! |