Local Patching Roundup - May 2024.

A pretty productive month with plenty of interest from the avian world, seeing the patch year list on a respectable 137 species.

Thursday 2nd

An evening visit after reports of a supposed Woodchat Shrike materialised into nothing, saw the added bonus of two year ticks in the form of two species of Terns on Winter's.

The first was a single Arctic Tern that fed over the main lake for all of ten minutes, before disappearing back onto the Humber and about 40 minutes later, 2 Common Terns dropped in and fed for a good 30 minutes or so and were still present when i left for home.

Monday 6th

A pretty productive visit today, with the marshes providing all the interest as has been for the last few visits.

Today saw the highlights including a pair of Greenshank which were new for the patch year, along with the second records of Wood Sand and Great-white Egret of the spring.

Other highlights included 4 Little-ringed Plover, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Little Egret, a female 'Greenland' Wheatear and a bumper count of 27 Whimbrel.

Winter's was fairly quiet apart from a pair of Cuckoo and a Water Rail which was flushed along the edge of the small pond.

Saturday 11th

Another visit today to the patch saw the marshes receiving the main focus again as it is looking in really good condition for the time of year.

Today's goodies included a cracking Drake Pintail, 12 Whimbrel, 21 Little Egret and a pair of Egyptian Geese.

Overhead the first Swifts of the year included 6 birds over the marshes and at least 5 over Winter's, just great to see again.

A single 1st summer Little Gull commuted between Winter's and the marshes during the day and a pair of Common Terns dropped in to feed over the main lake at Winter's also, the 2nd record of the year.

On today's visit a few insects were encountered and included my first record of Red Admiral for the year and Green-veined White, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood also being recorded.

Saturday 18th

Winter's proved a good rival to the marshes today with some nice sightings in the form of a new for the patch year Hobby briefly hawking damselflies over the main lake and also a flyby Bittern for good measure, a great pair of sightings.

Other birds at Winter's included 2 Yellow Wagtail feeding in amongst the cattle on the grassland, a pair of Cuckoo again, 36 Swift and 4 House Martins.

The marshes held the best bird of the day today though, a lovely Spoonbill. This 3rd calendar year bird gave some superb views as it fed on the main flood, this being the second year on the trot having the species visiting this site.

The single first summer Little Gull from the previous weekend had been joined by a second bird and they also put on a great show, such smart birds.

Other birds on here included 22 Little Egret, my largest count for the patch in spring, 3 Little-ringed Plover, the Drake Pintail still, a single drake Wigeon and now only a single Egyptian Goose.

Saturday 25th

A quieter visit today after recent visits, saw the pair of Cuckoo still at Winter's, with the largest count of Swifts so far this spring on the patch, with 73 birds watched feeding over the main lake and adjacent areas.

Also seen here were singles of Roe Deer and Fox.

The marshes held a few waders over the high tide and this included a cracking spring count for the patch in the form of 49 Ringed Plover, these birds were of the northern race 'Tundrae', being slightly dinkier and darker than the birds which breed here in the UK.

Other waders included a cracking summer plumaged male Ruff with 28 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Dunlin being seen.

Hirundines were in decent numbers also today, with 21 Swallows and 16 Sand Martin watched feeding low over the water for a change, due to the inclement weather.

A decent month overall, with some great birds enjoyed, i love this place!

A Stunning dawn at Winter's Pond, 6th.

The second Wood Sandpiper Of The Spring, 6th.

First Time I've Seen A Sedge Warbler Sing From Overhead Telegraph Wires!.

One Of The Two Little Gulls On The Marshes, 18th.

The Pair Of Egyptian Geese, 18th.

Black & Red Groundhopper, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Hoverfly Sp., Most Probably Cheilosia albitarsis - Buttercup Blacklet, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Hoverfly Sp. Eristalis nemorum - Stripe-faced Dronefly, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Female Light-brown Apple Moth, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Hoverfly - Melangyna Sp. , Winter's pond, 18th.

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Soldier Fly - Stratiomys singularior - Flecked General, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Hoverfly - Tropidia scita - Swamp Thickleg, Winter's Pond, 18th.

Bittern, Winter's Pond, 18th.

3rd Calendar Year Spoonbill, East Halton Marshes, 18th.

A Misty Winter's Pond, 25th.

Male Cuckoo, Winter's Pond, 25th.

Sand Martins, East Halton Marshes, 25th.

Umbellifer Longhorn Beetles, Redhouse Wood, 25th.