Down at Marshside for 7.45am this morning, checked the Golf Course, Marshside One, Sandplant and Sandgrounders.
Not a bad morning, with a fair number of common migrants about.
Two Tree Pipit overhead and 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroats and 1-2 Reed Warblers all singing in the area (Reed Warblers were hidden in the SSSI ditch).
Female Ruddy Duck by the SSSI.
The Percy Sledges were still chuntering away on the corner of Marshside Road.
The male Garganey was dozing, just south of Nels Hide, and there were a few Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, Blackwits etc on M1 from Hesketh Road.
Initially there weren't that many hirundines about, but their numbers grew as the morning wore on, especially round Nels. Plenty of Swallows and Sand Martins, with fewer House Martins.
Swifts began to move through in a light, but constant flow from about 8.50am. All powering north.
At least 6 Wheatears in the Sandplant compound, plus a Willow Warbler, and a thin trickle of Linnets and Chaffinches overhead.
From Sandgrounders there seemed to be Avocets everywhere, with Black Tailed Godwits making messy progress of breakfast.
Hard to say, but the number of breeding Lapwings on Marshside Two seems to be down - I can't think why that should be.
Mrs D texted mid-morning to announce her imminent return from a visit to relatives in Brumagen.
What tender billet doux did she transmit after an absence of three days?
"Leavin in half an hour. Can you please put ã10 to win on Lothian Falcon, 3.20pm, Sandown".
What a woman.
Holly Blue out in the back garden of Dempsey Towers when I returned home after a detour to the bookies.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John
I've been busy recently surveying breeding birds at Marshside RSPB Nature Reserve (& will be over the next few weeks). As you know the number of breeding Lapwings, Redshanks, Avocets & Oystercatchers have been increasing over the past few years at Marshside, both on Rimmer's Marsh & Sutton's Marsh.
Great to see you taking an interest, if you'd like to help me with this, we could discuss methodology & trends etc.
Look forward to hearing from you - please give me a call. Graham