Map
11.5°C > 12.0°C. Variable cloud with light showers in the vicinity after overnight rain. Moderate WSW wind. Good visibility.
(54th visit of the year)
A short and later than usual visit this morning due to other commitments.
Notes
2 Tufted Ducks for a while: the duck appeared to be the same very white-faced bird logged here on Tuesday 6th but not seen here or at The Flash since.
1 Buzzard high over was being mobbed not only by the usual posse of Crows but a party of 12 all immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls and some Jackdaws.
1 female Common Kestrel flew over: only my second sighting here this year.
Apart from the gulls that were mobbing the Buzzard there were single all immature Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Herring Gulls over.
5 Feral Pigeons over: Saturdays are good days to see this species here as the Racing Pigeon season gets under way (Thursday as well – it seems to be ‘training day’ for the weekend races).
Hirundines etc. counted comprised 18 Swifts, 4 Sand Martin, 7 Barn Swallows and 6 House Martins.
1 Grey Wagtail flushed off the dam flew off SW carrying food: my first here since 16 April.
Hard to be 100% certain as the same bush also contained the singing Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff all jumping about chasing insects, but there seemed to be another Sedge Warbler suggesting a pair breeding here.
The Lesser Whitethroat was not seen or heard this morning.
Another shot of the singing Sedge Warbler
A smart male Reed Warbler in full breeding plumage with jet-black head, and white collar and moustache
Another gape-shot: my best effort at Garden Warbler so far this year
and about to dive off his perch still singing
A near-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull prepares to land(?)
did it intend to dive in?
Need to do more work on this: the wing pattern says 3rd summer Lesser Black-backed Gull but there is much more dark on the tail than is usual.
Wheee!: I can sing while flying. Two immatures Lesser Black-backed Gulls
A Buzzard with some of its fans: 4 immatures Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Jackdaw visible
A grab-shot as it flashed by: a female Kestrel
(Ed Wilson)
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Today there was a Oystercatcher on the landing stage, looking like could have a mate on a nest. Common Sandpiper also on landing stage. 2 pairs Great Crested Grebe including pair with 4 juveniles, Mute Swans incubating, Sand Martin 10+, House Martin 2, Swift skimming the water drinking and a Garden Warbler singing.
(Martin Grant)