Cowes Port Handbook 2014-2015 April 2014 | Page 72

COWES PORT HANDBOOK 2014 - 2015

Below are a few of the species of birds you might see on the
Medina Estuary:

Lapwing u
Black and white plumage shows green in
bright sunlight. Has an impressive crest.

Oystercatcher u
Black and white wader. Bright orange
legs and bill. Distinctive single note
call when in flight.

Curlew u
White-rumped brown wader with long,
down-curved bill.

Little egret u
An all white member of the heron family
with bright yellow feet that feeds along
the water’s edge at all states of the tide.

Sandwich tern u
Elegant summer visitor. Feeds by diving
in search of fish.

Wigeon u
Dabbling duck feeds on water’s surface.
Smaller and more slender than a mallard.

Brent goose u
Compact, black and white goose. Feeds
on green algae. Has an evocative call.

Dunlin u
Small wader. Feeds in flocks at water’s
edge; rests in closely-packed groups on
pontoons.

Ringed plover u
Small wading bird with smart black and
white head and breast. Feeds in groups
often with the dunlin flock.
Bird illustrations by Alan Rowe at Potting Shed Cartoons.

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