Wader passage has been really poor so far this spring. I know we haven't got to the peak period yet, but by this date I would have expected to have see so much more than I have this year.
It took until Tuesday 22nd before I saw more than one Whimbrel on the Estuary, with at least six present. The day before, I saw my first flock of small waders of the spring, only six of these and all were Dunlin, but still - it's a flock! And beats my previous spring high of two!
The amount of water on Black Hole Marsh has prevented this place being a hub of wader action, with the best of it before today being a flock of 20+ Black-tailed Godwits that have been around for a couple of days now. This morning however, a bit of wader quality finally made it to the Axe Estuary when Phil found a Spotted Redshank with this flock of Godwits. Unfortunately not quite a black beauty, but it's three quarters of the way there...
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| Love the little drooped-tip on a Spotshanks bill |
Monday morning was the best morning of this week for migration, when rain and low cloud clearly dropped some migrants. I wish I had been able to get out in it, as just around work there were singles of singing Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and my first Lesser Whitethroat of the year all new in. Am pleased to say the Lesser Whitethroat has remained for the rest of the week, rattling away, so presumably it is one of our returning local breeders.
I've not had chance to get a photo of the Lesser Whitethroat yet, but I wish I had had my camera with me and not just my phone when it showed this well...
I'll end this post with my first sighting of youngsters on Black Hole Marsh this year, even if they are just Canada Geese...
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| Five more than last year which is hopeful! |
Check back soon for more!
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