Goatee beach in Ocotober

Eleven of us braved the wet start and misty conditions to meet up on Eling bridge for what was an enjoyable stroll around the beach. We then walked through the church graveyard, crossed the road and then through the council cemetery along the wooden pathway over the river flooded banks to the toll booth. We saw or heard 38 species of birds

From Mike
Our walk at Eling on a very grey day was brightened at the start by a Kingfisher perched in the reeds just above the millpond toll bridge. We walked around the shoreline to Goatee beach and were surprised to see two Black Swans drifting near a pair of Mute Swans off the point of Eling Great Salt Marsh, now much eroded and far smaller than formerly and scarcely living up to its rather grand name. The high tide prevented us seeing many waders but we did have good views of a Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel called several times from the midst of a host of wildfowl disturbed by a fishing boat. Both of these birds could well winter locally (as in recent years) although the vast majority of both species migrate to the African continent until next spring.

Three Stonechats scolded us at close range and we found a small selection of "passerines" (perching birds) on the remaining circuit of our walk along the marsh edge. Almost 40 different species were found in total and we were thankful for a quiet, mild end to our two hour stroll.
Our next meeting is at Lower Test Marshes on Friday, 30 Nov. 2007. Park near The Salmon Leap pub for 10 am., Next month Friday 30th November at Lower Testwood