With nothing close to the hides (not surprising given the shop window in one of them which keeps the waders at a good distance!) I headed straight down to the beach and walked up to Thornham point.
A Peregrine had a fresh kill on the beach. Unfortunately I didn't see it until quite late as I was looking out to sea. I tried to walk back up to the dunes to walk around it, but it flew a little distance with its prey and resumed eating.
After it had stripped the bird and flown, I went to have a look at what it had caught. It was a racing pigeon, with standard ring and racing tag which suggested it was in action when killed. I unfolded its primary feathers and found a telephone number which is often stamped onto racing birds. Having taken its ring details I thought it right to inform the owner.
The bird was in mid-race from North Yorkshire to Suffolk; the owner lived in Ipswich. It was one of two from this owner, and this one was already late back. He was clearly disappointed but grateful for the news, and quite philosophical of its demise in what is all part of the hazards of racing.
Further up the beach a few Brent Geese flew east good number of Sanderling and Knot came in close as the tide receded (I achieved a long sought-after shot of a speedy Sanderling mid-run!).
Nice one Tom.
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