Today is the 3rd June and yet it feels like it is several weeks later out on the marsh which is alive with young birds amongst the lush vegetation. The cows are doing a great job at helping keep the mosaic of habitat suitable for the young waders to both feed and hide but it is getting increasingly difficult to keep track on them.
Some of the Lapwings have even fledged already and Redshank chicks are not far behind. Goose creches abound and Shoveler, Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck broods have joined the many Mallards while the summering presence of both drake Teal and Garganey and the disappearance of the females of both species bode well.
Pochard with chick - Bernard Bradshaw
Aggressive male Lapwing - Mark Vale
Several pairs of Avocets have been prospecting and we have been keeping a watchful eye of their progress but can now report that three little fluffy Minicets are scurrying around. Their parents are very protective, and they are now a week old, so fingers crossed and although quite independent, they still run back to Mum for protection as you can see in Pat’s video.
and the first two chicks - Andy Hibbard
The first chick hatches - Clive Watts
All three chicks sheltering under mum - count those legs - Pat Hart
Our Cattle Egret is still on the marsh although thankfully, I think that the wader chicks are now a little too large to be seen as a nice little snack. The adult Lapwings and Redshanks are still giving short shrift to both egret species, Grey Herons, any of the corvids, Buzzards and Marsh Harriers but the sheer numbers of birds now breeding on the marshes means that the safety in numbers epithet has never been more appropriate.
Cow Egret - Tony O'Brien
Bearded Tit broods are dotted around the trails with boisterous youngsters foraging close to the paths while their parents have been seen carrying nest material to start the whole cycle all over again.
Bouncing Beardy - Steve Knox
juvenile male - Bill Moss
There is still plenty of warbler song in the reedbeds and Cetti’s will be starting second broods while the others finish off the first and all the while keeping an eye open for the sneaky female Cuckoos silently patrolling the fringes.
Reed Warbler on the look out - Mark Vale
Cuckoo - Tricia Cambell
Dragonflies have emerged in the warming weather and have included several Banded Demoiselles and our second ever Scarce Chaser and there is now a wealth of invertebrate live to encounter as you wander around.
Marsh Frogs have become very vocal but I will leave you with this wondrous beast with his alternative take on the green lateral stripe…
We have called him Ziggy Starfrog…
Go Ziggy! - Tony O'Brien
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer