A day off work and an opportunity to take some exercise and following instructions issued by the government by walking down to the marsh. I started along Marsh Lane where a flock of mixed Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow were feeding in the stubble fields. The songs of summer filled the air with Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler and Common Chiffchaff rang out loud.
Looking across No.6 tank and a smaller variety of ducks could be seen, but the female Long-tailed Duck was not one of them. A couple of Western Marsh Harrier were in the area and Common Buzzard were very much common with birds ‘mewing’ overhead.
A pair of Little Ringed Plover were at a secluded pool with several Black-tailed Godwit with one particular bird in flushing red plumage. A pool further out and hidden mostly from view had 6 Pied Avocet, 120 Black-tailed Godwit and several Northern Shoveler.
A female Northern Wheatear was perched at the top of a very tall tree at the Pumping Station watching a pair of Common Buzzard high over her head.
My walk took in Marsh Farm and the River Weaver and it was rewarding to see 48 Pied Avocet out by the Weaver Sluices and a further 8 flying from their private/security patrolled site. All in all I would estimate that we have c60 birds. Also on the mudflats were c350 Black-tailed Godwit. 11 Sand Martin flew around my head while over a Yellow Wagtail called.
A Common Ringed Plover was with a couple of Common Sandpiper and several Common Redshank on the river.
Ducks on the river included c110 Tufted Duck, c100 Common Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 31 Mallard and I relocated the female Long-tailed Duck playing daft buggers with its chose of sites. A herd of 13 Mute Swan and 2 Great Crested Grebe were adding to the overall picture.
A look along the pipes on No.1 tank revealed 3 Northern Wheatear and a (mixed songster) Willow Warbler was very obliging nearby.
Observer and images: WSM.
