Temminck's Stint
Spot the Greenshank in the featured image..
Another lovely day with sunshine and light winds.
Temminck's Stint on the Mere late morning. Pretty much annual here at Martin Mere, probably the most reliable site in the North West for this tiny wader. Still present on the Mere mid afternoon when it was seen to fly towards Vinson's/Sunley's Marsh.
The biggest count of Black-tailed Godwit we have had for a while with 214 birds out on Woodend Marsh. In previous years we have had up to 500 in spring with great views on the Mere although this year the water levels are being kept higher to help the breeding birds, of which 14 pairs of Avocet are nesting on the Mere islands.
Four Greenshank also on Woodend early on this morning. Also there 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, Lapwing with chicks. No Dunlin early on.
On the breeding bird front the first Black-headed Gull chicks are starting to hatch with birds out on Vinson's Marsh. Shoveler, Gadwall and Pochard all have chicks on site.
Two pair of Great-crested Grebe on site. Good views to be had from the Discovery Hide recently.
Two male and one female Cuckoo mostly around the Reed Bed / Canoe Safari area.
Two pair of Common Tern on the back island, both now possibly nesting.
Two Yellow Wagtail on the back of Vinson's Marsh.
Red Kite seen today.
Incoming... Little Ringed Plover taking issue with Temminck's Stint on it's 'patch'.
