Two 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull were on No.6 tank this morning and two Curlew Sandpiper were also present, before retreating into the vegetation, along with 2 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover and around 350 Black-tailed Godwit. Two Yellow Wagtail and a Jay were over the tank later in the day.
A Lesser Whitethroat was along Brook Furlong Lane by the ramp up to No.1 tank and a Willow Warbler was singing on the south bank of No.4 tank.
Observer: Alyn Chambers (images 1-3).
We took a hike around No.6 this afternoon after a tip-off from Alyn who had seen Curlew Sandpiper and Mediterranean Gull on the tank earlier. By the time we arrived it appeared that they had departed the area so after a quick glimpse over the water which had more or less the same ducks from yesterday we continued our walk and stopped off overlooking the mitigation area on No.3 tank. Apart from a few Avocet and Gadwall it was obvious that the walk would be just that, a walk.
The warm muggy sunshine is always accentuated on the marshes with the fields trapping the heat of the day. The fields harness the heat and it gets like a cauldron sometimes. Due to this there was a slight mirage to the horizon so didn’t stay for long in any one spot.
Walking along Lordship Lane the only birds of note were the usual singing Sedge’s and a showy Reed Warbler with a flyover Yellow Wagtail.
At the junction of Lordship and Hare and Moorditch Lanes I scrambled up the steep banks to view No.6 from its south side. There were a few gulls lingering on the edge of the water and the c350 summering Black-tailed Godwit were encamped on the north side of the shallow waters. On closer inspection the gulls included Alyn’s two 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull roosting with the Black-heads.
After clambering down the bank we continued our walk and then an adult Med Gull (pictured above) flew overhead. We managed to relocate this bird with the gulls following the muck spreader that was working a field alongside the M56 off Moorditch. It was soon followed by a third 2nd summer bird. A nice tally of four Med’s for the day.
There was a slight diversion when a small number of Blue Lacewings were noted and the first Large Skipper Butterfly of the year was spotted.
Observers: Sparky, WSM (images 3-9).
Hi Bill……..picked out 1 bar tailed godwit among the 300+ black tailed godwits today
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