At 12.45 today, a White Stork was seen by a number of watchers - another first for Marshside?
Earlier, at 7.45 am, pre heat haze, the warden saw 5 Gannets and four Sandwich Terns offshore, with 170 Sanderling, 600 Grey Plover and 550 Bar-tailed Godwits amongst huge flocks of Knot and Dunlin on Marshside beach.
Later, highlights included a male Redstart on the golf course and 2 newly arrived Swifts (joining 200 Swallows, 40 Sand Martins and 8 House Martins) a male Whinchat at the old sandworks and a breeding plumage Mediterranean Gull in front of Nel's hide. Also there were 12 Ruff and a female Ruddy Duck.
A growing list of incoming Passerines included 135 Meadow Pipits along with Whitethroats, Sedge warblers, Wheatears, and a Reed Warbler. Plenty for the usual Merlin, Peregrine, and Kestrels to have a go at. Waders today, included 210 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Little Egret and about 80 Avocets. Recently, 111 Avocets were recorded during a WeBS count - a record for Marshside. 58 Cormorants were a large number considering water levels on the reserve are low. Mammal sightings included some suprises. As well as at least 4 Hares on Rimmers, Marsh with 1 on the golf course, there were 3 water voles in the golf course ditch, and a Water Shrew there was probably a first for Marshside! Small Tortoishell, Peacock and Speckled Wood butterflies all on the wing. A cracking Marshside day!