Barnacle Geese, Spring Tide Ice and Lapwings

Spring high tide on the Dyfi is around 08.30, in winter this means the retreating water freezes, leaving thin sheets of ice balancing on the saltmarsh.

Arriving this morning after the springs, the ice had already broken up into large angular shards which buckled in the sun and collapsed under the feet of grazing barnacle and Canada geese. The main barnacle flock had already moved to the freshly exposed river bank in the distance but a few breakaway groups grazed for a while amongst the ice close to where I sat, leading me to imagine in comparison, the arctic tundra where they spend the breeding season.

This evening the Clettwr lapwings were'nt in such huge numbers as previously, however through the binoculars I could see steady streams of birds flying to roost against the creeping shadows of the distant hills.