Alive with young birds
South Lake
Just bursting with young birds here. The Black Headed Gulls are most noticeable with lots of brown youngsters all over the place. There were 25 Avocets 15 at least of which were well grown or fledged youngsters. The Crane was seen with its youngster in front of the Hogarth Hide and there were broods of Greylag, Mallards, Shelduck everywhere. Single broods of Gadwall and Tufted Ducks as well. The Black Tailed Godwit flock was over 120 whilst the post breeding lapwing flock was over 50 only one of which was a juvenile. A count of 128 Coot was the first big gathering of the year.
Zeiss Hide
Fantastic gathering of Avocet here, there were at least 82 birds 15 of which were fledged juveniles so looking like the best ever year with over 30 young fledged so far across the whole site. The post breeding flock of Redshank numbered 34 but no juveniles as yet in this number. A single Green Sandpiper and two Dunlin in full summer plumage were on the scrape with odd Oystercatchers, Lapwing and a single Black Tailed Godwit. More broods of Mallard, Gadwall, Shelduck and Tufted Duck were joined by a handful each of Teal and Shoveler.
Rushy
Great for the Green Sandpipers in here this morning,. at least 11 birds. There was also a single Redshank and 8 Avocet 2 of which were fledged young. A very late clutch of eggs on the top pond looks like it may just of hatched judging by the behavior of the female.
