Autumn Starts Early

Between bird surveying, and having to be home for the Honey Monster, I squeezed in an early morning visit to Black Hole Marsh today.

Here there were several signs of the autumn migration having moved up a notch, with our first juvenile Little Ringed Plover of the year near the far viewing platform. 

Don't see many in June, July is when they tend to start moving through

A summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit, three Common Sandpipers and six Teal were also on show.

Local breeding birds were present in good numbers too, both in the bushes and on the lagoon. Shelduck really seem to have had a good breeding season, and both Oystercatcher broods are doing well.

Great little birds

Hopefully the good breeding season means we are in for a good autumn...