I took a walk around the River Weaver this afternoon. Walking along Brook Furlong Lane which was quiet apart from a single Greater Whitethroat and a couple of Chiffchaff, but things picked up as a Marsh Harrier which hunted over Redwall reed bed and 3 Whinchat were sat on the fence, also spotted were 3 Reed Warbler singing in the ditch.
The river had held the usual wildfowl which included Tufted Duck, Common Shelduck, Mallard and Gadwall. Also noted was a pair of Canada Goose trying to shelter their brood from the Lesser Black-backed Gull on patrol.
A Common Sandpiper was foraging along the canal bank.
There was a couple of female Northern Wheatear near Marsh Farm and a Brown Hare made its way across a meadow.
Observer: Paul Ralston (images).
An after work walk around No.6 tank was productive with 374 Black-tailed Godwit roosting and sleeping in the flooded vegated area if the tank. Numerous Tufted Duck were joined by the usual Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Teal and Gadwall.
Three Marsh Harrier circled the area and 4 Common Buzzard and a Kestrel were on the wing.
The area along Lordship Lane had a single Cetti’s Warbler and both Reed and Sedge Warbler. Overhead Barn Swallow hawked over the banks of the sludge tank.
Observers: JS & WSM.
