Hello once again.
It is well worth coming down to Rye Meads in the next few days to see the Snipe on Lagoon 1. Over the weekend there were 75! earlier in the week numbers were being reported in the 50's and 60's and today i have counted 92!!!!!!. There is not much vegetation on the islands so the snipe are very visible and quite active while i was watching them this afternoon. As the count increased i was hoping to break the 100 mark but could not quite make it and had a good look through to make sure there was not a jack snipe lurking in amongst the common snipe, but alas no luck. Definatly worth a look and let me now if you get over 100.
Picture taken by Keith Bedford (afraid this is not a current picture but it is a marvelous shot from the same hide showing the amazing movement in the snipes beak allowing it to probe deep in to the mud and not get stuck!)
Other sightings today include 8 wigeon, 4 green sandpipers, visible passage of house martins moving through, 324 gadwall, 43 shoveler, and 85 teal. We also have a pair of little grebe in front of the Draper hide with very small young still catching a lift on Mums back, very late in the season but again showing really well.
News from the Kingfisher's sadly is not much clearer from my last update. Over the weekend the pair were seen on a number of occasions, so we know the female was not predated. Both birds were seen entering the burrow and staying for prolonged periods, with the male at one point entering the burrow to find the female already in the hole and having to back out. On monday the pair were seen again but entering a different hole (the middle of the middle row) .
Yesterday we continued clearing some views in front of the ashby hide through the reeds leaving stubble for birds such as snipe, and creating rides through the reeds to allow views of the water and possible movement of water rail. We will be continuing to open up views in the reedbed betweene the ashby hide and kingfisher hide in the coming weeks ready for the return of the elusive bittern.
Thanks
Vicky
Saw plenty today, great sight.