Got a bit of a surprise yesterday afternoon when what appears to be the same male Turtle Dove reappeared on the grass just below the centre and proceeded to walk under benches and across the gravel before taking an amble along the path past the feeders. It then did exactly the same as last time and flew low around the centre and into the Mardyke. Such an amazingly bright bird and it is just a little odd that no one has heard it singing if it has been here all along. Ears and eyes fully open for purring everyday now!
No pictures unfortunately as I was too excited running around getting the punters onto such a stunning bird!
Anyway, out on the very windy trails today there were very few visitors but quite a few good birds with a fair selection of waders over the high tide given that we are now into June. Andy Tweed found a Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Avocet, 4 Dunlin and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers on the Target Pools but there was no sign of the Greenshank seen yesterday. These latecomers better get a move on to get to their Arctic breeding grounds but I suspect that most (bar the breeding LRPs) will be less that one year old (1st summers) and will not be breeding anyway and so take their time!
Still lots of great Redshank action with many post sitters and lots of agitated 'kipping' to suggest that small young are still in the grass!
Redshank (HTV)
Stoats have been incredibly active and I would imagine that they too are feeding young and these bold little hunters have been providing some excellent photo opportunities...
Sid - (Lee Spence)
Sid having a much needed annual bath (Elaine Crew)
And last but not least the various Bearded Tit families have been equally entertaining and the little bundles of orange joy have been snapped by several visitors as they play on the metal dragonfly sculptures. It looks like we might have had six or seven pairs nest this year so there should be plenty of pinging to come!
Magic shot by Mark Vale
So the weather is meant to warm up from tomorrow so perhaps a bit of early June skywatching in the hope of a late passing Honey Buzzard...
2-6-15
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer