Ferring Beach

I had just enough time to make a quick dash to Groyne No.4 at high tide this afternoon. The fact the school holidays are over and most of the holidaymakers have gone makes the beach attractive again. However, the excellent weather meant there were still plenty of people about, What a contrast in consideration, walkers when they saw the camera actually made a detour so as not to scare the birds.

A conservative estimate gave - Turnstones 70+, Ringed Plovers 30+ and about 20 Sanderlings. Just one Dunlin on the sand and he was constantly hiding in the mob, though we did have a fly by of three more. The most striking observation was the variety of plumage of all three species, though the Turnstones have definitely lost their summer tones.

As the tide pushed higher the Turnstones came ever closer until they were too close to focus, the Sanderlings remained at a distance and the Ringed Plovers occupied the middle ground. Nice to see the "Friends" are still about.

The "Friends" have returned in good numbers.....



....in various plumages...

 




....young and old.



Perhaps a small crustacean under the camera bag?



Given the excellent camouflage the count remains conservative.