Summer weather has arrived and so have our chicks and waders. The Freshmarsh has been alive with excitement as chicks have fledged and are running around whilst some returning waders have kept our regular watchers on their toes too!
Our three young Spotted Flycatchers have kept the photographers busy near the Welcome Hub as they have flitted around which has meant that other woodland birds including a Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat have also been noted near the Visitor Centre and car park.
Spotted Flycatcher (juv) Photo Credit: Dave Andrews
Out on the Freshmarsh it was a delight to see Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Avocet chicks whilst visitors were able to see many other waders on several dates at the beginning of the month which included: Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Ruff and on the 1st of the month a scarce White-rumped Sandpiper if you were quick enough! The waders had a supporting cast of Spoonbill, Little Gull and a Yellow Wagtail too. Bigger gulls often appear quite late in the day for a ‘wash and brush up’ in the fresh water, so a record of a Yellow-legged Gull on 4th and 10th was most welcome. However, Whimbrels have been seen down on the Tidal Pool and Volunteer Pool.
Little Ringed Plover (juv) Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
Lapwing (juv) Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
White-rumped Sandpiper Photo Credit: Colin Scott
August can also herald the start of Autumn migration, so a Pied Flycatcher by the Island Hide on the 6th was probably one of the first passerines to fit into this category.
Down at the beach an Osprey kept the birdwatchers happy as it lingered for a few days in the Thornham channel. The sea-watching season will soon be in full flow as birdwatchers turn their attention to the excitement of watching the birds that pass by on the sea here. Arctic Skuas have been seen on many dates chasing the gulls again.
Other birds of note have included a Kingfisher on the Tidal Pool and two Turtle Doves on the Old Tank Road and in the paddocks.
Many birds do not land at all at Titchwell Marsh but simply fly over with August producing some more unusual sightings. A claim of a Montagu’s Harrier was backed up by one of our regular photographers managing to get a photograph of it! Hobbies have been in short supply at Titchwell Marsh this year, which is a shame as they give such a wonderful display as they dive and catch a dragonfly in their talons, before dispensing of it in mid-air. Other notable fly-over birds included: two Ravens, Yellow Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper and four Cattle Egrets.