Pett Pools at Dusk

On my increasingly frequent trips to Eastbourne I'm able to call in at a number of great birding spots, like Romney Marsh, Rye Harbour and Pett pools (regretably Dungeness is too far off route). This week the trips have been at the wrong time of day, as all the hides seem to face west, so the sun's not only in my eyes when driving, but also when spotting.

Identification and photography are more challenging, and tend to be impressionistic. I enjoy watching a flock of waders wheeling across the setting sun, for example, even if I can't recognise what they are. These Black-tailed Godwits gave a good show, 30 of them flying in to the road-side pool, showing off their black and white tails and white wing bars.

Little Egret

Avocet

and don't forget the dabbling ducks - Mallard, Teal and Widgeon on Carter's Flood. There were also four Greenshanks, Spotted and ordinary Redshanks and a Little Gull.

There are some far better photos (not into the sun!) on the Rye Rx site.