An early morning walk around No.6 tank on this warmest of sunny days. I began at Godscroft lane where the usual Sedge and Reed Warbler song were vocal, but not vocal enough to drowned out a Cetti’s Warbler.
A Ringed Plover was alarm calling over one of the distant fields, but the sitting Lapwing didn’t seemed too concerned. Both Goldfinch and Linnet were busy feeding on the seed heads of gone-over flowers and one of the first juvenile Starling of the year began begging for food.
Onto the ‘phalarope pool’ where c50 Black-tailed Godwit which were joined by 2 Avocet, while another Cetti’s song gave a Mediterranean vibe to the proceedings. A group of drake Gadwall were chasing a wearily oppressed duck around on No.3 tank and Avocet were being equally amorous.
No.6 tank had the remainder of c200 Black-tailed Godwit with 6 more Avocet in the shallow waters, while a pair of Black-headed Gull were trying to bully a Coot off the nest it had occupied from them. Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Mallard, more Gadwall and small numbers of Eurasian Teal were all present alongside 4 Mute Swan and 4 Little Grebe.
A Common Sandpiper flew in and landed on the edge of a Coot nest where it sat calling before moving on.
Observer and Images: Paul Ralston.
Rake Lane.. Yellow/Grey and Pied Wagtail also Sedge/Reed/Grasshoper Warbler.
Observer and image: Steve O’Connell.
A Barn Owl was perched alongside the eastbound carriway of the M56 at junction 12 at 21.05 per WSM.
