A few visits to Big Water over the last few days produced a couple of year ticks for the patch list. First was the
Green Sandpiper
It was only there for less than 5 mins when it was chased off
by one of the 5 Lapwing which are now
flitting between the scrapes
The other year tick was a Grey Wagtail which dropped in after a rain shower and was once again chased by the Lapwing although when it did fly another joined it from further back on the scrape which I hadn't noticed.
Other visitors included a family of Crows which seem to have taken the scrape to be their official Dining Table.
A couple of Shovellers are also using the scrape as a place to rest but unusually not at the same time and keep vanishing into the reeds although occasionally the do swim around together but always at a distance and then go for a fly round the pond then return. They are both in eclipse but you can tell the male as the eye still retains the same colour which unfortunately is a bit difficult to tell through the "not to great" picture
Meanwhile on a distant perch a Pied Wagtail and a Tree Sparrow were getting a Masterclass on "Perching Techniques" by a Master
When the class was finished the Kingfisher shot off and hid
The Mute Swans and their 5 Cygnets have been regular visitors to the scrape although on Sunday only 4 Cygnets were visible.
The Grey Herons have been seen quite a bit and I reckon there is at least 4 regular visitors to the pond at the moment although they are still being chased quite regularly by our new visitors to the scrape, the Crows
The Common Terns are still on the island with at least 4 young and one still sitting. These 2 young seem to be the oldest and most active and at times their parents do leave them but not for long.
With the Terns being so active hunting food for the newly born
the opportunities for some flight shots come around often
Meanwhile in the Feeding Station there have been several visitors including the Woodpecker looking for Peanuts to feed his hungry brood, a solitary Willow Tit comes in fits and starts and 2 Yellowhammers have been seen on several occasions.
Well thats enough for now but don't worry, especially you Alan, there will be a video in my next blog, just haven't had time to edit it yet
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