An early start this morning around the River Weaver and No.6 tank.
A Fox vixen made her way along the pony paddock and slipped away in to the vegetation when it got wind of me.
There were Blackcap being the most vocal bird along the lane and were joined by Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler.
Another highlight of the morning were four Brown Hare and it seems to be a good year for them on the marsh.
On the river the usual ducks were present and a pair of Great Crested Grebe look to have failed breeding as yet and 6 Mute Swan made their way to the Manchester Ship Canal.
A Common Buzzard was chased away from the river by a posse of noisy Oystercatcher and several Avocet.
Onto No.6 tank the Black-tailed Godwit numbers reached 590 were spread out over the shallow water with several 15 Ringed Plover (one of which had a retarded 1st winter plumage?) and 5 Dunlin being noted. Gadwall numbers have increased with 91 birds present. Tufted Duck reached 12 birds while Common Shelduck were much reduced and presumably busy elsewhere bring up their new families.
100’s Common Swift dropped down with the drizzle but some moved on .
The ‘phalarope pool’ had a dozen Black-tailed Godwit, a couple of Avocet and a pair of Lapwing with 2 chicks and the Eurasian Coot family. A pair of Gadwall, a Mallard and its brood and a Mute Swan.
Lordship Lane held more Reed and Sedge Warbler with Reed Bunting feeding young and the Oystercatcher still sitting tight.There were numerous singing Cetti’s Warbler rang out all over the place.
Observers: Paul Ralston (images 1-6), WSM (7-8).
