An early start 5.30 am at the Flashes with Dave J at Moors Later joined by Chris T, Gert, Spike , Dave J, Rob G , Glenn H and Paul R.
The heavy overnight/early morning rain gave us more optimism of a goody.
As it turned out there was a scattering of migrants.
But as always the breeding species take priority. Three negatives at the Flashes were the loss if 2 of the 3 oystercatcher chicks and the long sitting Avocet on the Right hand island had finally abandoned and lastly the sitting lapwing in front had lost 3 of its 4 eggs. The male carried out broken shells - possibly trampled or coot predation.
All 10 lapwing chicks were ok as was the only avocet chick now 2 weeks old. The redshank continues to incubate. There are now record numbers of adult Avocet 43*. The Shoveler brood is still holding up with 18 chicks still in tow. The shelduck are acting as if there is going to be an imminent show of young. Today 5 adults flew around the southern farm building. The all landed on the small building roof. As Shelduck have nested there before I get the feeling they are nesting in the farmyard.
Apart from this there were migrants as follows :-
Flashes : Little egret. ruff female. Ringed plover. Pochard 2 males. Hobby. swift c100.
Moors : Pochard same as flashes. Common Sand. cormorant 5
Breeding Survey Flashes. Reed warbler 10. Reed bunting 8 sedge w. chiffchaff 2.
Also seen at Flashes. Shoveler 2prs. Gadwall 5. Shelduck 5. Tufted 45. Lapwing 14. LRP 4. common tern. peregrine kestrel, kingfisher. Raven . Whitethroat.