Waberthwaite Cumbria

 Rising , Falling , High and Low Tides are a rare sight  for an inland birder but when you get the chance to sit on the side of a tidal estuary and watch the day go by its a real treat. 3 Black tailed Godwits flew just above the river north soon followed by a flock of Pied Wags stopping briefly on the shingle shore to feed on the edge of the tidal flow. There were two White Wagtails in with them a cracking adult summer and an adult still in winter plumage with smooth grey cap. Red breasted Merganser were nosily displaying in the open water. A male Whinchat popped up on to a small tuft of juncus and a couple of Wheatear showed briefly  .5 Buzzards soared over and up to 5 Little Egrets came down to feed ,  a couple in breeding plumage (pink feet an all) .
  I could pick up the calls of Oystercatcher and redshank from the far bank then Whimbrel calling and Greenshank and 3 Little Ringed plover were in display mode . A group of 8 Shelduck flew over soon followed by a flock of Pinkfeet the last till the winter no doubt. Whimbrel were quite close feeding in the mud and up to 7 Common Sandpipers were feeding as well. AS the tide turned the last of the winter ducks came out to feed 11 Goldeneye , 2 Teal , 6 Goosander and the sky filled with Sand Martins , a couple of House Martins and 10 Swallow .A quick look at the mouth of the estuary produced 2 Sandwich terns and a Red Throated Diver feeding close to the shore.5 Ringed Plover were searching the tide line........