A little saunter down to the marsh after work and to check on what’s happening on No.6 tank. The construction of the 14th wind turbine is almost complete over on No.4 tank with another five more to go.
Back to the birding and the water on No.6 tank is finally dropping to a level to encourage waders back and a group of 19 Dunlin including the first juvenile bird, 4 Ruff and 56 Black-tailed Godwits is very promising for the next few weeks (fingers crossed). There were many ducks on the open water with c65 Tufted Duck, 49 Gadwall, 61 Mallard, 12 Shoveler, 23 Common Teal and an assortment of Common Shelduck and their young. A female Marsh Harrier was hunting the south vegetated areas of the tank and looked very much like a Red Kite with its central tail feathers missing.
A party of 5 Yellow Wagtail flew over while one or two juvenile Reed Warbler could still be found in the reed beds below the track. On leaving the area a group of 100 Common Swift dropped in to feed over the fields.
A view of Trinity Church and Fox Hill beyond.
Observers: Emily Traynor, WSM (and images).
