One minute Spring sunshine . . .
. . . and the next rain and hail showers.
Nevertheless birds were about in plenty attending to their seasonal tasks. A walk along the marsh front and the onto the farm was pure joy.
The hedgerows were full of birdsong. Some birds were still attracting mates while others had got down to nest building. As I neared the Wetllands Centre, Jackdaws were busily trundling twigs into one of the barns whilst a Wren was flitting back and forth having taken up residence there also. Blue Tits were seen checking out the nest boxes opposite on the trees surrounding the car park. The bird feeding station there too, was a hive of activity with recently arrived Siskins and Lesser Redpoll joining the resident Tree and House Sparrows, Chaffinches and Tits.
Wren near the Wetlands Centre.
Greenfinch and Lesser Redpoll on Centre feeders.
As I chatted to the volunteers manning the Centre this Saturday, my attention was drawn to two Ravens nosily flying overhead. Having checked out the Logbook for recent sighting of the flock of Black-tailed Godwit which had been frequenting the wetland areas near the hide, I set off down the Lonning in that direction.
Raven flying overhead . . .
. . . then two appeared and flew off over the Estuary.
First port of call was a small group of Pipits in a bush beyond the metal gate on the right. A flock of about 30 Linnets could be seen flying about and eventually landing on the power lines across the Discovery field. Pressing on, I was serenaded by a number of recently arrived Willow Warblers picking about for insects in the hedgerows and amongst the Willow catkins. A small flock of goldfinch were chasing about, presumably, chosing their mates.
Meadow Pipits
Willow Warbler.
Willow Warbler singing from Willows.
Arriving at the 1st Meadow Pool - through the screen Teal and few Wigeon could be seen. On the distant grassy bank to the south, I was pleased to see the flock of about 200 Golden Plover, now in full Summer plumage. They were looking very relaxed: preening and feeding on the grassland.
Wigeon and Golden Plover. . .
. . . who looked resplendent in their summer plumage.
The 2nd Meadow Pool held a number of Mallard, Teal and also a Little Egret holding prime position on the island. Then, suddenly, two Greylag Geese, having been seen on the Reserve for a while now, came sweeping in and settled on the water near to the Little Egret. Eventually one of them climbed up onto the bank nearby and settled down to preen . The Little Egret though, maintained its prime position on the end of the island - not in the least phased by this intrusion. Then suddenly, a whinnying call rang out across the Pool and looking across the pool I could see the Little Grebe coming towards me. It came into the reeds below me, then shot back over the clear water and turned as if to look at me before diving out of sight and disappearing. Viewing this bird so close is always a chance encounter!
Little Egret with two Greylag eyeing up the situation.
They all end up peacefully preening.
Little Grebe swimming towards me.
Little Grebe amongst the reeds - just before diving.
Moorhen swiftly swam across the water.
More Willow Warbler song accompanied me as I made the screen on the left-hand-side of the Lonning, a little further along. Imagine my surprise as a flock of wader swept in from the direction of the hide wetlands. Yes, they were the very birds I had hoped to see today: Black-tailed Godwits. Although they landed on the far bank beyond the water initially, their deep orange-rufous summer plumage stood out against the green meadow and my camera was soon in action. Through my bins I could only make out 47 but on checking my photos later on the computer, there were actually 52. Good to see their numbers are gradually increasing day by day.
Black-tailed Godwit flying in.
There were 52 birds in total.
I watched their antics for a good hour, as they swiftly spread across the meadow feeding - then taking to the air and circling to reposition themselves, either in the water or on the near bank. The Teal out on the water did not seem unduly disturbed by them but the same could not be said for Lapwing who were well into nesting in these fields. They aggressively and noisily defended their territory. However, after a while things settled down - with each getting on with their own activity.
The Godwits are certainly a spectacular bird to watch.
There were two very pale birds amongst the flock. Perhaps they had not acquired their summer plumage yet!
Lapwing aggression . . .
. . . continues.
Teal amidst the flock, unperturbed by all the commotion.
Landing after another fly round . . .
. . . and gradually settling down to feeding.
Check out the link on YouTube for a record of today's Black-tail Godwit appearance: https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=bfimfmJPzlA.