With dropping water levels it is well worth spending a bit of time around Aveley Pools over the next few weeks. I have been out a few times recently and the scrape is starting to take shape for the autumn with muddy margins appearing that are already playing host to waders such as Green and Common Sandpipers and Snipe and other species such as the six Ruff and ten Black-taild Godwits that we saw at the weekend...

Ruff - Simon Oelman

Black-tailed Godwits - me

There are still plenty of duck and gebes with young so we do have to be careful not to take out too much but it is great to see that there are still countless Little Grebe chicks loafing around and three broods each of Tufted Duck and Pochard at various stages of development

Little Grebelets and a Coot - me

The light can be tricky round on the south side so I would either aim to be around there early or late to get the best angles with the light.  Or perhaps come visit this Friday for our Late Night Opening when the viewing should be perfect and who knows what else may drop in or creep out....?

23-7-14