Action: waders, harriers...

Which is more exciting - a rare passage wader or a rare bird breeding success? In chronological order...

Yesterday evening one of the local birders found an adult pectoral sandpiper by the mere. This is the second record for the reserve, the first being a juvenile on 12th September 2009. We started to make the edge of the mere more attractive to waders in the spring that year, and were really pleased with the results. 'Autumn' wader passage starts in late June when the first adult green sandpipers pass through, and this year has been particularly productive because the water level has been lower than usual. So far we have seen several green sandpipers and greenshanks, two redshanks, and lots of little ringed plovers (up to five a day). A post-breeding flock of up to 94 lapwings has also been impressive.

Early this morning one of the locals was disappointed not to see the pec, but he did see the first juvenile marsh harrier to fledge this year. On the only previous occasion when marsh harriers have bred, they fledged three young in 2007. Are there any more in the nest? We shall find out over the next few days.

Turtle doves are still going strong, reinforcing my view that this is one of the best places in Britain to see them. One of the locals saw eight on 19th, including three juveniles. And if you like little fluffy things, a brood of eight tufted ducklings appeared on the mere yesterday. And on the subject of fluffy things, there are at least two chicks in the barn owl nest box that are now big enough to come out at dusk.

Other notable sightings recently include an adult peregrine on 16th, siskins flying over on 14th and 16th, three kingfishers here and there, and three otters in front of Drewer Hide on 16th.