Waders ranging from curlews to turnstones, brent geese, harriers of various forms and the promise of Nightjars in the spring.
After a meeting with a lecturer at uni about the local sites to me and what I could expect to see, I was raring to go.
After securing myself my transport for the year – a squeaky bike with the most uncomfortable saddle ever I was ready to get out and explore.
Right outside my flat is the Crab and Winkle way, a cycle path leading from Canterbury to Whitstable. From Whitstable I headed out of the ‘urban’ area to the small town of Seasalter with it’s shingle beach I was soon spotting my first waders.
All the waders were fairly tolerant of me, I reckon the dog walkers thought I was bit strange through doing my best seal impression sliding across the beach on my belly.
On the subject of seals I found I have my own small population in the Swale estuary.
Along the seawall goldfinches bounced about the bushes and the added bonus of a friendly wheatear followed me along the wall.
With the sun setting and the tide well out I was ready to head home as the waders were miles out before I came across this godwit right by the shore and after some stealth belly crawling I was ready to get some shots.
It seemed to have a broken leg but this didn’t stop it from feeding successfully and staying healthy.
On my cycle home I saw a few more godwits having a little scuffle out on the shingle.
Kent certainly has a lot to offer and I have explored hardly any of it yet so look forward to a lot more photos to come!
