Brancaster Staithe – a day of contrasts…

Tags

Brancaster Staithe, Brent Geese, Oystercatcher

What to do today?  We knew that rain was forecast and, in the end, decided on a return visit to Brancaster Staithe, which has two big advantages on a rainy day – being able to sit warmly in Bessie while watching wildlife and, of course, cockles!

There was a fair amount of sunshine for the first hour or so and, gradually, more and more birds made an appearance…

…including these Sanderlings and Dunlins

…and the inevitable Brent Geese making an impressive landing.

However, this Oystercatcher looks decidedly unimpressed!

Our old friends, the Turnstones, were patrolling the shore as usual.

as  well as the Black-tailed Godwits and the Curlew.

These two Redshanks appeared to be holding their own sports day in the rain.  They ran first one way, then turned around sharply and ran back again!

There was human interest too – these men appeared to be washing mussels:

And, talking of shellfish, today’s cockles were as gorgeous as ever!

Meanwhile, this Black-headed Gull was clearly in charge of the local finances.

After the heavy rain, which eventually appeared, and just as were going to leave, the skies cleared and we enjoyed the glorious late sunshine.  What was grey turned gold.

A couple of new birds today – a Golden Plover and what looks like a Greenshank:

As we prepared to leave, this dog was enjoying a late afternoon swim in the afternoon sun.

 What looked likely to be a wash-out turned out to be a day full of interest.