By carefully drawing down water and exposing wet mud, the larvae of Chironomid midges become easy prey for waders. At this time of year, migrant waders are moving back from their breeding grounds further north and wet mud is where you’ll find them. This last week we’ve had a good variety of waders on display. On Bottom Tank we’ve had 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff and 14 Dunlin. Good views of the Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank are to be had from the Phil Stead Hide. From Saltholme Hide lucky visitors have seen a Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plover and up to 96 Black-tailed Godwit.
Greenshank probing wet mud by Mark Stokeld
Other migrant birds have included a Redstart, Little Gull and Whinchat. Just now, there is a Black-necked Grebe on the main lake, visible from the gallery windows or the cafe. Sadly, it is no longer in breeding plumage, and so you need to be careful to separate it from the juvenile Little Grebes.