Post breeding flocks of waders gather
Several large post breeding groups of waders are beginning to gather around the reserve just now.
Avocet
A group of 46 from the Zeiss hide included just 2 full grown juvenile. Up to 6 younger birds are still on the Rushy.
Redshank
There are 68 on the South Lake, many moulting out of the rather subtle summer plumage. Its a good challenge to look for the more feint, delicately barred plumage of the two juveniles among them today. Hoping this isn't the total of young reared from the 12 or so pairs that attempted to breed around the site this year. Dont get fooled by one of the two Ruff that were there this morning with very bright orange legs.
Black Tailed Godwit
There were 87 on the South Lake this morning with one or two others scattered around the scrapes. Mostly adults with a massive range of plumages from full grey winter to some still in the very bright adult breeding dress. Search for two large juveniles among them with plainer buff edges to the back feathers.
Lapwing
Big scruffy flocks of heavily moulting birds are moving between South Lake and Zeiss hide.
Green Sandpiper
There were 9 at the Robbie Garnett this morning, these are newly reterned birds that have given up on breeding and have already made the migration from Scandinavia.
Other birds of note include 4 Cranes and a Little Egret from the Robbie Garnett Hide, a pair of prospecting Common Terns, a lone Little Grebe and a pair of Great Crested Grebe with one halfgrown younster on the South Lake
