Cuckoo
A Cuckoo was heard singing near the Harrier Hide this afternoon. Today's raptors included 3 Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. A male Ruff is the first of the return [...]
A Cuckoo was heard singing near the Harrier Hide this afternoon. Today's raptors included 3 Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
A male Ruff is the first of the returning 'autumn' birds which populate the reserve for most of the year. The next couple of weeks is a good time to catch these birds with some or all of their breeding plumage before they moult. Other waders included 39 adult Avocet with 5 fledged young plus a few smaller chicks, Curlew (new in), Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover and 12 Black-tailed Godwit.
Around 90 adult Shelduck and 80 young, 400+ Black-headed Gulls some on nests and the odd juvenile present. Nice to see Starling flocks building, post breeding with ~700.
A full cast of common hirundine as well as Common Swift feeding over the reserve.
Warblers around the reserve include Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Reed and Sedge Warbler.
AB
