It’s been an exciting week for migrant birds. This includes a Great Reed Warbler which is currently hiding in the reeds by the Allotment Pool. It generally sings (I use that term loosely) at dawn and dusk, although it grunted and squawked with it’s teenagers voice breaking throat at about 8.30 this morning while I desperately tried to glimpse it through the reeds. It sounds like one of those Hollywood doctors has given it way too many steroids. Hopefully, it will become more confident and sing in a prominent position, as these birds are supposed to do.
Last Sunday I walked into Paddy’s Hide to do a count and was confronted by an excited crowd and 5 Spoonbills on the wet grassland. They are still here, although they spend a lot of time on the Port Clarence Flood, just out of view. They were in front of Saltholme Hide on Wednesday morning as I opened the shutters. A nice start to the day.
We now have 8 Avocet nests on the wet grassland which is also hosting a few Red Knot and Grey Plover, both rare visitors to the reserve and the cause of excitement to us wardens only.
And on top of all this are the Terns. The first Black Tern arrived on Sunday, but we had 6 of them on Tuesday. A couple of Whiskered Terns arrived on Monday and they are still here, flying around the islands on the main lake. Belonging to the family of Marsh Terns, Black and Whiskered Terns don't feed on fish as other Terns do, but catch insects above the water, which results in a more buoyant flight.
A wonderful shot of a Whiskered Tern captured by Mark Stokeld
I think I’ll use this photo for the cover of my next album. Well, first album. I’m sure it’s never been done before.
The Common Terns are lining up on the professionally erected goal posts (we used a very large hammer), but the Whiskered Terns don’t seem to want to use them, which I feel is rather rude.
Although you can see the Whiskered Terns from the path as it leaves the back of the visitor centre, you can also enjoy them from the viewing gallery or the cafe.
Spoonbills, Terns, chips and cake.............that’s a good day out.