Monday 16 June 2014

Returning Greenshank

Lade - 0700hrs - cool, cloudy, drizzle, nne 3 - A circuit of the local patch produced a glum looking Hobby perched on a power line cross tree and a Peregrine that came in from the south and settled on the wall `mirror`. Around the willow swamp the rufous Cuckoo was noted along with two calling males. Returning back along the beach two pairs of Ringed Plovers showed no signs of having a nest or young nearby.
An afternoon visit to a private gravel pit confirmed breeding Med Gull amongst the Black-headeds with at least one chick noted. Also, LRP and Shelduck with fledged young, plus 105 roosting Curlews and 15 Bar-tailed Godwits.
ARC - 1100hrs - Whilst walking down to Hanson hide in a rain squall the familiar three note whistle of a Greenshank was heard to the north as a bird flew in, circled around looking for somewhere to land before flying off south still calling. This was probably a returning adult having failed to breed.
On the lake 100 moulting Gadwalls, 20 Pochard and two Red-crested Pochards, plus several hundred Swifts and hirundines (mainly House Martins) over the water hawking insects in the cool conditions.

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