A couple of decent visits to the local patch over two weekends,saw typical summer birding continuing,with a couple of nice sightings bird wise on the 24th and some nice breeding records in the notes.
The following is what i recorded over the two visits:
Sunday 18th June
WEBS count day,saw a decent start at Winter's first thing saw an adult Green Sandpiper dropping in before heading high west,with 8 Mute Swan,115 Greylag,4 Drake Teal,8 Coot and the 3 juvenile Grey Herons present again.
3 Oystercatcher and 2 pairs of Redshank on the marshes along with a singing male Cetti's Warbler were the highlights here.I really am praying one of the pairs of Redshank will be successful in raising a brood.
The only surprise around the Skitter today were a pair of unseasonal Pink-footed Geese associating with the Greylag families and a flock of 5 Teal.
The former looked in good health and were fully winged,so maybe just on their summer holidays here.
The best of the sightings from Goxhill Marsh,was the wonderful sight of 3 recently fledged juvenile Cetti's Warbler clambering about in the brambles with their distinct clicking contact calls to their parents,just great to watch.
Sunday 24th June
A more productive visit today than the 11th,started off nicely at Winter's first thing with a flock of 7 Common Tern flying west.
The main lake held 161 Greylags,12 Mute Swan,3 juvenile Grey Heron7 Tufted Duck,7 Coot,47 Mallard,3 Little Grebe,1 Little-ringed Plover,3 Oystercatcher and a good count of 151 Black-tailed Godwits.
The latter are now using the site,as the water levels have dropped slightly and it is ideal now for them to bathe.
Around the bushes 5 Cetti's Warbler,3 singing males and at least 2 fledged juveniles was a good showing.Other species included 3 juvenile Lesser Whitethroat,2 juvenile Bullfinch and a female Roe Deer.
A wander back to the car to dump some clothing and the scope,saw 4 Crossbill fly over west calling,a very welcome year tick and only the second time i have recorded them on the patch.
Marsh Lane held a few nice sightings,mainly breeding birds,with a pair of Yellowhammers watched feeding young at the nest,which was great to see and another positive was a pair of Grey Partridge in suitable breeding habitat.
The best sighting along Skitter Road,went to a Treecreeper in Redhouse Wood,only the second sighting of the year.
Not much in the way of surprises at the Skitter unfortunately today and the Pink-footed Geese from the previous visit had also moved on to pastures new.
The marshes held 1 pair of Redshank still,hopefully these will be successful in raising their chicks to fledging.
Hopefully things will start to liven up now on the patch and some nice Waders or Terns will arrive.
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| Cetti's Warbler Fledgling,Goxhill Marsh,18th. |
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| Lackey Moth Caterpillar,East Halton Skitter 18th. |
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| Pink-footed Geese,East Halton Skitter,18th. |
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| Buck Roe Deer Arriving At Goxhill Marsh After Swimming Across The Humber,18th. |
