Got down to Marshside by about 8.45am today and had a quick look along the footpath thro' the Golf Course first.
Not bad - met up with Pete Allen (and later Bazzo) and had one singing Chiffchaff, but only briefly as it sang feebly once or twice before moving on north; three Grey Wagtails, Redpoll and a single Siskin.
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming too.
On Marshside One there were at least 35 Avocets, mostly up at the top end, including a pair copulating.
Plenty of Blackwits, and at least five Ruff, Lapwings finding nesting sites and up to 2,000 Golden Plovers right at the back.
Several Meadow Pipits parachute display on the outer marsh, but Mount Baker was quiet, apart from a few Greenfinch, Reed Bunting and Woodpigeon.
No sign of any Wheatears, which was a bit frustrating.
A single White Wagtail was running about the shores of Polly's Creek, the female Scaup was with the Tufties on the Sandplant lagoon; but the Green Winged Teal was fast asleep, albeit only ten feet from the Sandgrounders Hide, beside a few Common Teal.
Still plenty of birders with lenses bigger than the News of the Screws waiting for it to wake up so they could bag a better shot, but I preferred to go down to Nels with Neill and Bazzo and see what was happening down there.
Good to feel the sun trying to warm things up - several Buff Tailed Bumblebees on the wing now all around the site.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.....
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Paul wrote...
John,
The path through the golf course sounds interesting Grey wags etc.. how do we find this? also what and where is Mount Baker?
p.s. had 40+ Avocets at Marshside yesterday.
Regards,
Paul.
Posted by: Paul | March 25, 2007 3:15 PM