Sunday 28 November – Newport Wetlands Leader: Mike Jackson

We gathered in bright sunshine, belying the freezing air temperature. First stop was the feeding station where the
usual suspects gave us some easy ticks. In the extensive reed beds we immediately targeted Bearded Tit but
none showed for us despite checking every little brown job we saw which were invariably Reed Bunting. Little
Grebe, Mallard and Starling all appeared, a Water Rail squealed and Cetti’s Warbler delivered invitations for us to
look harder. With the tide still low we made out distant Shelduck, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Dunlin, Grey Plover and
Curlew from our vantage point, where a showy male Stonechat alighted on the Spartina. We entered the small
woodland to find a flock of Long-tailed Tits with a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest, among other common tits.
A Redwing feeding on haws next to the path gave a full demonstration of field markings and calls as we watched
from only metres away. With the tide now higher our return to the coast produced Shoveler and Redshank. We
finished with a couple of Gadwalls and a Teal giving us a total of 43 species. Thanks to the six members who
contributed to a pleasant morning. (Thanks to Mike for leading.) Mike Jackson