Freak Tidings

Today was good evidence of why tide forecasts are only rough estimates. A relatively modest high water of 9.35 metres was predicted for Liverpool this afternoon, but exceptional random factors pushed it considerably higher after lunch with the whole of Oakenholt Marsh under water before it started to ebb – something that normally only happens when the tide is around 10 metres and over!

(I remember reading that air pressure has a much higher influence on the height of a tide than one would expect. The sea level rises or sinks by one centimetre per decrease or increase in atmospheric pressure of one millibar).

There were very impressive numbers of wading birds at Connah’s Quay again this afternoon with the rising water ensuring that the big flocks of shorebirds assembling from all over the bottom reaches of the estuary were in a constant state of flux looking for the ever-decreasing areas of exposed marsh.

A lone light-bellied Brent Goose was probably the bird of the day, found feeding in the channel over towards White Sands, although it was in good company sharing the area with two Bewicks and at least thirty Whoopers.

Connah’s Quay NR 6.12.09

Oystercatcher 4,000+
Lapwing c2,500
Knot 400
Dunlin 300
Blackwit 200
Spotted Redshank 2
Brent Goose (hrota) 1
Bewick’s Swan 2
Whooper Swan 30+
Keith Duckers 1
David Jennings 1 (thanks for the sweet!)
Mute Birder 1

Inner Marsh Farm was relatively quiet this morning, with the best bird found at the back of the car park – a cracking Green Woodpecker. Five Siskins too, feeding on the alders near the boardwalk and a flock of sixty Linnet near the railway bridge.

Until later.