Recent Wildlife Sightings 20th - 26th April
Highlights: Little Stint, Whimbrel, Little Gull, Avocet
Several chilly mornings tricked us into thinking winter had returned, but some warm sunny afternoons reminded us that spring has not departed just yet.
Highlights: Little Stint, Whimbrel, Little Gull, Avocet
Correction: The original post stated “Whimbrel are only with us for a short time each year during Spring and Autumn migration as they stop off on passage from their wintering grounds in Scandinavia to their summer stay in Africa and Southern Europe.” The regions these birds visit were the wrong way round - this has now been corrected.
Last Friday, a keen-eyed birder spotted a minute Little Stint hidden amongst the rocks on Freshwater Lagoon. As a scarce passage migrant, its appearance was a good sign that our management of the lagoon is having a positive impact, as the islands were moulded specifically to attract birds like this. The Little Stint joined the collection of small waders that have popped up on these islands in recent weeks, with Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper still being seen regularly from Boardwalk Hide.
The assortment of wading birds was even larger (both in quantity, and size!) on Saline Lagoon, with a pair of Avocet seen on Thursday being a highlight. These two were feeding in the same area as the pair seen last month, likely indicating that they're the same ones that remembered how much they enjoyed their last visit. Joining the Avocet were a small group of Common Ringed Plover, which required the much shallower water at the edge of the lagoon to accommodate their diminutive stature. A coastal faring relative of the Little Ringed Plover seen on Freshwater Lagoon, these birds look rather similar at a distance, but can be distinguished with a good view by the lack of a yellow ring surrounding their eyes and a much stubbier orange bill with a black tip. Nearby to the Common Ringed Plover, regular visitors like Dunlin, Knot and Ruff enjoyed a feast of invertebrates brought up by the relatively high tides this week.
If you've spent any time near the estuary this week, you may have heard the fluty seven-note whistle of Whimbrel flying overhead. These large wading birds are quite similar in appearance to the year-round resident Curlew (the largest wader in Europe), sharing a distinctive downwardly curved bill. However, Whimbrel are only with us for a short time each year during Spring and Autumn migration as they stop off on passage from their wintering grounds in Africa and Southern Europe to their summer stay in Scandinavia.
Over on Freshwater Lagoon, another Little Gull dropped in to pay us a visit. This time, it was an adult sporting its neat summer plumage, with a smart black 'hood' and bright red legs. The ever-present Long-Tailed Duck performed its regular feeding ritual on the lagoon, showing its affection for the plentiful supply of food on offer.
Around the Millennium Wetlands, scratchy warbles from Common Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler were prevalent sounds this week. It can be tricky to separate some of these songs, but the reedbeds and areas of scrub are excellent places to practice your identification skills.
