This morning was warm and sunny, with rain forecast by lunch-time. The reserve was quiet, people-wise, as I set off towards the Turret hide. On the lake was a smart Grey Heron, one of three I saw, along with eight Little Egrets. Little else on the village lake, apart from the recent breeders, Mallards, Coots etc. The walk by the maize field was very colourful with ragwort and other flowering plants. Many butterflies were about, in the warmth, and the occasional dragonfly. Sedge and Reed Warbler were both seen among the taller plants and the first of three Green Woodpeckers was along the path. On the long hedgerow, the Corn Bunting was singing and a Kestrel was perched by the Reedbed lake. The Reedbed lake had 2 Oystercatchers, a Dunlin, 2 Snipe flew into the long grass and a Common Sandpiper called. A Common Tern was feeding its youngster on the mud. The Ings and Silt lake held many Greylag Geese, along with Mute Swans and the other 2 Grey Herons. The only remaining Avocet youngster was practicing his flying skills. One of the Tufted Duck families. On the Main Lake, the Great-crested Grebes were busy feeding their two young. Four Common Terns were still on Main lake, this one just before diving. ...... and one for the Moffers - Garden Tiger Moth on Maize field path.
A very timely check on my Twitter showed a sighting of a Caspian Tern only three minutes earlier. The location is well known to me and I set off straightaway. Finding this tern was rather unusual as, it could not be seen on the estuary because of the wide reed beds between us and the river. It could however, be seen by Neil, a Lincolnshire birder on the opposite side of the Humber estuary! Neil made a phone call to Gary, to say that the tern was flying, and it soon climbed into view. Probably the same bird from Carr Vale in S. Yorkshire, it gave good views at some distance and made its way up the River Ouse, past Blacktoft. I have seen many Caspians in the Algarve, but this was my first British record and I am grateful to the finder, Dave Waudby and the comms link between Neil and Gary. According to Birdguides, the Caspian Tern has returned to Faxfleet as of now 1850hrs and is viewable.
Present for its fourth day, what is thought to be a 2cy Sabine's Gull on the southern flash.
Only my second Sabine's and an inland bird is most unusual. Consequently, it offered excellent views as it fed in shallow water and performed short fly-arounds too. The greyish head and other features show it not to be a full adult yet. A fine day today provided the opportunity to see my 3rd sighting of a White-winged Black Tern. Having been present for three or four days in various locations in South Yorkshire, this stunning adult bird was certainly worth the short trip of about an hour. Yesterday, the tern seemed to have settled at Rother Valley Country Park and that was our chosen stop. We were also to find good dog walking and ice-creams there! We stopped the car at the Nature Reserve lake and found the tern had left, seconds earlier, towards the Main Lake. Having parked near the sailing club, the tern was first seen at the North end of the main lake, where it fed for some time. Its feeding route took it the full length of the lake, over time and unfortunately, always at the opposite side of the lake! First view of the immaculate plumage. Each time the tern travelled the length of the lake, it would fly over the trees to the Nature Reserve lake for a while, before re-appearing and repeating the process again. The tern failed to come any closer and, despite taking 152 shots (!), they weren't brilliant. After midday, the tern remained on the Nature Reserve lake and we watched it from there. This adult white-winger was certainly a delight to watch. Even though the distance was a little disappointing, the summer plumage was incredible.
Warblers were still in fine song as I walked the path along the hides. Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and a distant Grasshopper Warbler were all heard in the morning sunshine. Cetti's Warblers seem to be more numerous each time I visit. From the hides, I was seeing plenty of Bearded Tits flying between the reedbeds and this youngster came down in front of me, long enough to get just one shot off! From Singleton Hide, I had a brief view of a Water Rail whilst looking for Beardies. The only waders were two Green Sandpipers which flew in and rested on an island. A smart looking Little Egret was one of only a few birds present on the islands. Ten Spotted Redshanks were among a small flock of summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits. The Marsh Harriers have done well and this male was seen 'food passing' to one of its three juveniles. Two of the juvenile Marsh Harriers waiting to be fed.
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