Geese

First time I've been to Shellness - it's at the end of an unmade track with some truly large potholes. I was told that the track is kept like this to deter visitors; the Hamlet of Shellness comprises a handful of houses on a private, gated estate. The private land extends only to the high-water mark on the beach so when the tide is out it is possible to walk past the estate along the beach. I happened to be there at high tide which is also a spring tide so higher than normal. This also meant that the salt marsh was flooded which meant that the footpath on the landward side of the estate was only passable by those wearing wellies. Lots of walks available along the dykes that bound the marsh though and plenty of birds to see; including 10 little egrets, this collection of geese and the female stonechat in the extras bin. A birder who stopped for a chat was a regular and had been watching a short-eared owl. The hen harriers come out at dusk apparently but the idea of that bumpy track in the dark is downright scary.