10.08.15. Birdlog
In a blustery but warm south-westerly breeze we spent the afternoon in a relatively quiet time watching the waders gathering on the exposed muddy margins to the flooded eastern side of No.6 tank.
A gathering of 670 Dunlin were feeding out in the open compared to their recent behaviour of choosing to conceal themselves in the tussocks of vegetation. Although presently there is no sign of any eastern shorebirds, it will be only a matter of time before they filter in.
The numbers of Ruff are continuing to increase with 22 birds noted today.
Black-tailed Godwit are shedding feathers and are looking a bit patchy in places so, of the 540 birds present some looked in perfect condition while some were in transitional wing and tail moult.
There was 6 Common Snipe (Arthur Harrison) seen and these were fairly bold and choosing to feed out in the open with the Dunlin flock.
The Garganey reappeared with a flock of 8 Common Teal and another 100 Teal were with 6 Shoveler on the tank.
A relatively prolonged period of time elapsed before the whole flock of Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits rose from the tank and as usual the cause of their concern was the big female Peregrine making a couple of sweeps at taking out a wader (top two images). On a couple of dives it even made an attempt at taking a Black-headed Gull. All of which were failed attacks.
There were a few Raven out over No.4 tank and small numbers of both Swallow and Sand Martin were moving into the wind.
Also seen were 2 Comma, 1 Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell and several Gatekeeper Butterflies.
Observers: Sparky, WSM (and images).
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