Sand Bay - our local patch 14/2/16 & 16/2/16

Sand Bay is only 10 minutes drive away from us and is a coastal area with tidal mud flats and a sandy beach that has been taken over by areas of vegetation which in turn provides a great haven for both flora and fauna. We had heard that a pair of Dartford Warblers were in residence so we decided to take a trip on a beautiful sunny morning. It did not take long for us to find the Dartfords feeding on the Sea Buckthorn - wow! What great little birds always on the move, occasionally chasing Stonechats and difficult to photo! 

Plenty of other birds to be seen and get great views of including Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Herring Gull, B H Gul, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Shelduck, House Sparrow, Linnet, Collard Dove, Starling & Pied Wagtail. 

Amazing to find so much in one area both wildlife and beautiful scenery. A superb place to visit if you can ignore the many dog walkers. The birds however seemed to have got use to both the dogs and their owners! 

   House Sparrow - good numbers along the beach vegetation

               

                  Dartford Warbler balancing in the Sea Buckthorn 

   Typical Dartford pose

                

   

          Eyeing up the berries!

 

    Often lurking in the undergrowth!

          

                 Occasionally the Dartfords would chase the Stonechats and ten sometimes perch                         

                 on the fence

    

Stonechat female 

           

                  Stonechat

    Not too often you see a Stonechat on the ground

              

                  Linnet

   Linnet - good numbers along the shore

Reed Bunting