Wednesday morning rounds
The weather has meant that water levels on many scrapes is high, regular rain events have had an impact on this situation and Land rover safaris. The ground is again very wet so it is unlikely we will get them out this coming weekend. It does not affect the hides, grounds and centre as we have tarmac and gravel paths. Some levels are kept up in June to ensure the ducklings and waders chicks can feed in cover and not get easily predated.
South Lake
A very busy birding spot, we have lots going on as the juvenile Black-headed Gulls fledge from the islands. Many are flying about the site, unsteady and rather tern like but no crash landings reported.
Wader numbers are building up as their breeding season comes to an end and they join the non-breeding summering flocks. We always look carefully among them to assess how many juveniles have been fledged. The Avocet colony here is hatching young with more to come. Redshank have increased to 20 with 50 Black-tailed Godwit. At least 40 Gadwall on the scrape.
Zeiss Hide (Top New Piece)
Two Cranes GCP were displaying. The drake Garganey remains (still present on 28/6) among the Teal flock. We have lots of duck broods feeding on the flood, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Shelduck can all be seen with young. Nine Redshank, 15 Avocet, 2 Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, Reed and Sedge Warbler. A new arrival came in the form of a breeding plumaged female Ruff.
Tack Piece (Robbie Garnett Hide)
At least one Little ringed Plover is still feeding on the edge of the scrape. Up to 5 Green Sandpiper are also present.
Rushy Pen
The Avocet is still incubating, we did not see the family.
Kingfisher Hide
Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler and flocks of Swift feeding over.
Willow Hide
Reed Bunting and Great spotted Woodpecker
Holden Tower
Little Grebe pair with 2 young.
