Waders
As we move through July we should see more new birds drifting onto the reserve as post breeding birds start to move around.
Today new arrivals included 2 Common Sandpiper out on Woodend Marsh, 4 Common Snipe dropped in during a rain shower. Other waders included 60 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Ruff, 4 Ringed Plover + 2 newly hatched chicks on Woodend, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6+ Redshank, 20+ Oystercatcher, Dunlin and 150 Lapwing.
Raptors included the immature female Marsh Harrier roaming around the reserve, 4+ Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Some locally bred Common Tern juveniles (3) arrived on the reserve with adult terns. Our two chicks are now looking close to fledging with one possibly seen to take flight briefly.
Great-crested and Little Grebes can be seen in front of the Harrier Hide. A flock of 14 Shoveler in eclipsed plumage were feeding on the Mere with small numbers of Teal.
Good numbers of Common Swift feeding low over the reserve in the afternoon rain.
