12.07.15. Birdlog
Great views of the Black-necked Grebe were the main order of the day and it even swan out to the centre of the open water at the end of the watch.
There were hundreds of Black-tailed Godwit feeding on the tank (and some of the brightest coloured birds you can find anywhere), a solitary Ruff, 3 summer Knot and 34 Dunlin. A Green and Common Sandpiper were on the far bank, 7 Avocet were mixed up in amongst the godwits and Redshank.
Ducks are the most dominant species on the flooded tank and with the re-emergence of two more Wigeon adding to the one from yesterday suggests they have been out on the estuary somewhere, 44 Common Teal, 12 Pochard, several Gadwall, numerous Mallard and 180 Tufted Duck (some with tuflings) make for the arrival of a Garganey all that much better.
The Black Swans were still present and on the opposite of the plumage shade range was a stunning summer Great White Egret giving an excellent performance close to the track above No.6 tank. A short video showing the egret here: https://vimeo.com/133797068
A Great Black-backed Gull caused a bit of commotion when it dropped in and pick up an Eel from the shallow waters by the godwit flock.
Meadow Pipits were quite tame and perched for photographs on the fence posts. Several hundred Swift, 100 Sand Martin and a few Swallows were feeding over the water.
The Weaver Bend had a mix bag with 8 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Great Crested Grebe, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warblers calling, Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting carrying food back, Goldfinch, Shelduck with lots of ducklings one brood of 18, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, Male Marsh Harrier over Redwall reedbed.
Butterflies included: 1 Common Blue Damselfly, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, dozens of Meadow Brown butterflies and Gatekeepers a few Small tortoiseshell, Small White and 1 Small Skipper.
Observers: Alyn Chambers, Paul Crawley (image 7), Frank Duff, Arthur Harrison, Sean O’Hara (5-6), Paul Ralston (image 8), Heather and Findlay Wilde (image 3) and WSM (images 1-2 & 4 & video).
