Saturday 25th May
7a.m. arrival in Moors car park - Birder Gladys and Dad turn up having already been to Flashes! Still only 4 cars including ours. 3 more than Friday night; impressed that the local constabulary came to look after our car.
North Moors pool a solitary swan, a pair of tufteds and the resident pair of mallards skulking in the reeds. A song thrush trying to outsing everything including the cetti. Lots of bird song which I'm still trying to learn.
On route to East Hide tried to turn wood pigeon into cuckoo but failed. Heard one in area later in afternoon though. One incumbent in hide - closely followed by us, Tim and Mary and Des. Thanks to them , particulary Mary, for pointing out lots of things to me; Des for the ringed plover and Tim for the whitethroat.
Impressionistic rather than numberistic round up. Sorry! Pair of swan still have their five chicks. Won't argue over what the white "duck" is but suggest that it is female because of tail feathers. Anyway showing off its chick in water in front of hide.Lapwing still sitting patiently on island near and to left of hide. No sign of chick(s) yet. An immaculate Lapwing waded and paraded in shallows in front of hide; a very happy wood pigeon had a long bath in same area. On Friday night the pair of oystercatchers definitely had two chicks if not three ( will check photos again) Sad news is that despite trying very hard we could only see one Sat.a.m.; parents either taking it in turn to sit on it or both guarding it whilst taking it for a walk to the water's edge. Two terns - reported as common - not sure - seem to be taking more than an interest in a nest site on the far island looking straight from East Hide. Lorra lorra of BHG chicks growing up very quickly.5 male tufteds and a pair noted swimming in front of hide. Pair of great crested grebe swimming out in First Flash area with one ever growing chick.
The highlight must be the other pair still with their 4 chicks displaying in front of hide. Feisty and hungry chicks indeed,giving I think dad the runaround this time. Mother provided the food and the display was super. One chick made a dash from back to water to grab fish - gulp - gone! Next time another chick is fed the fish - big fish - small beak - oh heck - long time to swallow!!
Favourite video to date. Post pics later.
Eventually we wandered off to the Flashes on foot via West Hide. Nothing much to report - sunlight - what's that?- not helpful. Large family of mallard disappeared back into water from feeding area as we arrived.
Met Rob who explained that the cage had been erected over the LRP pair to protect them after they had started to nest properly. Me - I just thought they had delusions of grandeur! So much to learn! Hide empty of people but met a man photo-ing damsel flies on the walk across.
At the Sailing Pool much human activity. Only a couple of hard BHG flying around mid morning plus the resident Canadas and brood on shore.
Hen Brook hide - stayed for quite a while - lots of warbling but only twitching reeds to be seen. One reed bunting did show briefly. Onto next hide. Pair of swans one sleeping, one swimming but no sign of a nest. BHG on detached residence still sitting; cage in front contains a solitary chick and a pair of chicks at least.Onto New Hide. Empty - then 2 more people plus a visit from a well organised group from the centre to see the long legged birds with blue coloured legs and those with carrots in their mouths. o
The usual avocet chicks running wild in front of hide; parents giving grief to anything that came close! Rest of avocets and chicks all spread around and hunkered down so did not consider any losses from weather. The BHG chicks that were still small enough hid in the pipes. Sensible!. Others tried to hide under wings of parents. Mmmm! Photoed common sand when I found it - makes a Jack snipe look slow and calm! Other than that all the usual residents really.
Lunch recuperation called so off to local plant emporium. Met some optimists on may searching for a garden warbler. Lunch more pressing. Hope their wait was fruitful!
P.M. on walk back to Moors met group photo-ing butterflies . West Hide empty but joined by Peter E, then two ladies we had not met before. Canadas rule! A Baker's Dozen flew in and flapped around , settled, and ultimately flew out again. A big creche on grass to right of West Hide of Canadas - there for a long time -then not there. Mrs W B photoed 2 buzzards behind and to right of hide which did not disturb anything. Heron flew in for a while.
Plenty of time to watch the locals and the hirundines. Left around half past 4 from hide. Oh yes on bridge by hide previously met 2 chaps watching stickleback which they tried to point out to me. Not sure I saw them properly- must look up stickleback! lots of people around then making use of Reserve though not many in hides. finally left car park around 5 after long chat with chap about cameras. Buzzard photoed over car park by Mrs WB Is there anything she misses?
Good day. Was only going to stay until lunch time:eek!: If my photos are rubbish - just discovered what ISO setting I was using at times:-C
Phil