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Mud Flats

For the first time in quite a few years I was able to find time for a trip to Leigh on Sea. I hadn't checked the tide tables and took my good bins but not the scope so I didn't see a lot but there were some old favorites taht I hadn't seen for a long time.

On arrival we parked in the car park on the marshes. This was free last time I was there but the princely sum of one pound wasn't going to break the bank. An old boat, partially sunk in the mud was totally covered in redshank while another, afloat this time, seemed to be home to most of the resident turnstones.

There were some changes around the cockle sheds but in the old town itself Osbornes were still providing traditional sea food and the wonderfully old fashioned Strand Cafe seemed unchanged with soft roes on toast on the menu just like my last visit. Its always a hard choice between the two.

As the tide went out the turnstones swarmed along the shore while the brent geese just seemed to put their feet down and wait for the tide to drop them onto the mud. Flocks of dunlin started moving in and the geese kept up their usual chatter.

Apart from the redshanks I didn't see any other waders but did hear a curlew calling from the other side of Two Tree Island.

I will have to make time for a serious birding trip, this one was in the company of a non birder and I could only decently spend the briefest spells actually scanning the flats.
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