Another pretty good day on the reserve although strangely enough there was no sign of the White-winged Black Tern given the close call it had with death at the mercy of a local Peregrine. Also seen were 12 Little Egrets, 6 Green Sandpipers, 5 Common Sandpipers, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Avocet, 8 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 7 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 5 Whinchats, 4 Wheatear, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Yellow-legged Gulls, m Garganey, 3000 Starling, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 16 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 35 Swallows.
... and could not resist some more tern shots!
WWBT (James Lowen)
Funnily enough the rarest bird of the day was a dinky little Goldcrest which was feeding in the wildlife garden with a Long-tailed Tit flock. This is only the second record here this year after the seriously cold winter. It even warrented a shout over the radios incase anyone was nearby!
The day ended very strangely with a gentleman bringing in a very poorly young Swift. This species is notorious for being infested with parasites but it was so skinny that I think that there was nothing left for them to drink on!
Amazing to get so close to such an enigmatic bird. It was taken to a local wildlife hospital where they were hopeful of rehabilitation.
Poor little Swift, but what an honour to get so close to such a beautiful bird, lovely photos. By the way who had the job of counting the 3000 Starlings?!?