Caught up with the Stilts at Martin Mere today, but my pix aren't as good as Neill's...too far away....as was the Pectoral Sandpiper, and the damn Yankee was flighty too!
Watching Black Winged Stilts was as bizarre as ever _ how come they don't trip over those ridiculous legs?
They've been observed copulating, or as us professional ornithologists term it, "up to blatant jiggerypokery", so you never know, they may do a Frodsham (remember those) and try to breed _ the little mini-Vesuvius nests they protected from Carrion Crows etc in vain at Frodsham all those years ago are a fine memory, shame they never got young off.
This is only the second Lancs record that I know of...so if you're a County lister, get your twitching trousers on!
The gloop of Vinson's Marsh looks perfect for them, but don't be surprised if they up sticks, or rather legs, and drop in at Marshside (oh please, oh please, oh please)....
One Stilt was repeatedly hassled by Lapwings, and two of the birds have already taken an exploratory flight off to the east before returning to the reserve, so they may not be around for too long....especially as wet weather comes in tonight.
Martin Mere also had two singing Garden Warbler (on the path down to Miller's Bridge), male Garganey and displaying Little Ringed Plovers in warm summer sun....plus all the usual stuff, including the roosting Tawny Owl which was a bit more obliging than my last visit.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....
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Just discovered your blog ! Excellent to hear what's going on back in West Lancs and the stilt news from the Mere - wish I had similar over here in Brussels. Will enjoy following the blog from now on.
welcome Rob...are you seeing anything around Brussels?