15.06.15. Birdlog
An afternoon amble down to No.6 tank and the mitigation that is No.3 tank. There were clouds of mosquitoes including some on this Manchester Ship Canal signage.
The pools there are gradually drying up and are barely holding the local birdlife but 23 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in from resting up on No.6 tank, 2 Dunlin and a pair of Ringed Plover were along the damp edges.
The secluded pool attracted 24 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe, As mentioned above the summering flock of Black-tailed Godwit commuted between the two tanks and the Mersey Estuary.
Also present was the dandy fop male Ruff with 3 Wigeon on the vegetated ground close to the northern banks. 67 Common Shelduck, 3 drake Pochard, 74 Tufted Duck (mostly drakes), 24 Mallard and surprisingly 2 Great Crested Grebe which is testament to the recent pumping of sludge and the increased water level on No.6 tank. A Water Rail was calling in the thick reed beds.
A female Marsh Harrier was on No.4 tank while the heavy indusrious traffic thundered past kicking up clouds of fine white dust.
Video of Ruff watching the skies then taking a nap here. https://vimeo.com/130812100
Observer (video and images): WSM
