After work and a walk along the Painted Lady Butterfly littered track above No.6 tank and away from the pettiness of the day.
A parent Avocet shielding its chicks from a marauding gull.
The summering Black-tailed Godwit flock exceeded 500 birds in the recently rain supplemented water level on No.6 tank. Also present was a scattered flock of 15 Avocet with another 4 elsewhere (excluding two mobile chicks). The parent Ringed Plover pair still had 3 chicks which fed within the godwit flocks on the edge of the muddy areas. Two Dunlin were a little late moving north.
Ducks were back to good numbers with an increase of Common Pochard numbering 13 drakes and two ducks. The arrival of a flock of 39 Common Teal were possibly part of a group displaced by a big tide out on the river and brought a Green-winged across the river to Carr Lane pools? Also present were 34 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler and a pair of Great Crested Grebe.
The 6th wind turbine is set in place on No.4 tank and awaiting its third rotor blade.
Observer: WSM (images 1-5).
Earlier Colin paid a visit and sent his sightings here:
I paid a visit this afternoon to the marsh. Although it was quiet it was nevertheless enjoyable. Whitethroat giving alarm calls obviously with young nearby. Reed and Sedge Warbler where much in evidence. One Common Buzzard was the only raptor noted with Raven seen. Six Avocet were a pleasant sight especially with two young feeding happily after their parents saw off a Gadwall.
Observer: Colin Butler (images 6-8).
Locally a Red Kite was over Malpas Crescent, Runcorn at 8.00 am per Don Weedon.
