An early morning walk around No.6 tank as part of my daily exercise routine. A brood of Mallard ducklings were in the outflow ditch on No.6 with no sign of the parent bird about?
Songbirds included many Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warbler were all vocal throughout my walk. One of the Cetti’s broke cover and perched in full view for a few seconds before taking cover again.
A pale phase Common Buzzard drew the attention of the breeding Northern Lapwing on Lordship Marsh and had to tack cover in a hawthorn bush. A pair of Eurasian Jay moved from No.4 to No.6 tank searching for early nesters, while a Western Marsh Harrier sat in the reed bed while another hunted overhead.
Four Black-tailed Godwit were foraging on the ‘phalarope pool’ with several Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Coot, Common Moorhen and a single Mute Swan. There were 11 Mute Swan flew from the River Weaver out over No.4 to graze on Lordship Marsh. The scrapes on No.3 held a flock of c80 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Pied Avocet, 4 Common Redshank and several more Eurasian Teal and more Northern Shoveler.
A pair of Canada Goose have set up home on the ‘secluded pool’ with one brooding eggs and the other trying to make itself as small as possible to evade detection.
The female Long-tailed Duck was associating with Tufted Duck, Gadwell and the usual duck species. A couple of Little Egret were on the hovercraft site.
Observer: Paul Ralston (images 2-7).
I made my walk down to Frodsham Marsh after I had finished work. A long walk ahead lead me eventually to the ‘phalarope pool’ were I was engrossed by a pair of Little Ringed Plover both preening close together. A small number of Black-tailed Godwit were busy feeding and a smaller wader feeding at the back of the pool revealed itself to be the UK’s first Pectoral Sandpiper of the year.
Nearby a Western Marsh Harrier was about and tens of hirundines were riding high above No.6 tank and the female Long-tailed Duck was busy washing her plumage before I headed homeward.
Observer: WSM (images 1 & 8-13).
