Just like being at home

The Odiel Marshes are an important wetland area, mainly made up of salt pans which provide a fantastic area for wildlife to feed and roost.

Marshlands

Although we saw old friends such as Flamingo, we did find some thrilling new species for our records, including a pair of delightful Little Bittern.   They flew across the path in front of us, giving great views, then dipped into the reeds.   With patience we managed to see them a further three times, twice as they moved up the reeds (probably to see what all the noise was) and then as they flew back across the path back to their original position.   Marvellous views and a great start.

Waders were the order of the day with my personal favourite, Kentish Plover playing a leading role.   Curlew Sandpiper, Redshank, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Little Stint were all enjoying the food provided by this area.   Seeing the Little Stint running around with Dunlin was an excellent opportunity to compare the size and jizz of the two species.  

Flamingos

Another size comparison opportunity with Sandwich and Little Tern side by side.   Movement along the raised bunds between the salt pans made the Fiddler Crabs scurry to cover - an entertaining sight.

The area has benefitted from some hard working conservation efforts, including the addition of nesting towers for Ospreys - some complete with wooden osprey statues to keep the storks at bay.

Fishing Boats in the Atlantic

As we watched an Osprey on the nest on one side of the road, I could hear a call and turned round to see two displaying Montagu's Harrier on the other side of the road, with a further female following further behind.   A female Marsh Harrier added to the confusion, but they soon sorted themselves out with the Marsh Harrier remaining over the marsh area nearer the river and the Montagu's keeping nearer to the road - lucky us!

After enjoying this area for some time we moved off along a sand spit which sticks out into the Atlantic - Evening Primrose has been introduced from the USA via the ships cargoes landing in port.   Although there have been efforts to remove it, the plant continues to flourish and was providing some source of food and shelter for various insects including Common Swallowtail butterfly.   Sand stock was another delightful find which appears to be native.

Evening Primrose

Purple Heron, Slender-billed Gull and Avocet were also great additions to the day.