Before I start today's visit to Tophill, I have an interesting photo from a couple of nights ago. Whilst visiting Far Ings nature reserve on Saturday evening - to see the Squacco Heron, we were drawn to the sight of c.120 Common Scoter. These ducks were flying at considerable height and making their overland passage, East to West across the country. A very interesting sight that I hadn't seen before in such numbers. I also managed a sighting of the Squacco in flight too. So, a very windy start at Tophill this morning, but fine and warming up again. On the North Lagoon, a small cluster of waders revealed a juvenile Greenshank in company with three Green Sandpiper. The Greenshank fed throughout the morning, up to its knees in soft mud! In all, there were six Green Sandpipers, coming and going between the adjacent lagoon. One Common Sandpiper was also present. There were numerous wagtails on the approach road and on this lagoon. Eight Pied Wagtails on the road, three on the lagoon, a Yellow Wagtail on the lagoon and these two young Greys with an adult at times. More waders were found on South Marsh in the form of 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Common Snipe. 7 Little Egrets were counted this morning. Both reservoirs were quiet, probably due to the wind, which was howling over 'O' reservoir! By late morning, I was walking through 'D' woods and towards North Marsh. The wood was more sheltered further in and the smaller birds were now picked up - Marsh Tit, Wren families, Treecreepers and Goldcrest. Marsh Tit and Wren (young) At North Marsh, things started very slowly with two Moorhens only for quite a while. I had seen 3 Kingfishers flying about North Lagoon earlier and wondered if one would be up here at all. An adult Little Grebe appeared from nowhere and fished for a while. A Grey Heron flew through, a Cetti's Warbler was heard but no other warblers, and no raptors about. Eventually, without a call, a Kingfisher arrived, looking like a female type. It stayed for almost half an hour, trying out all the posts that have been provided (!) and finding a plentiful supply of small fry. An absolute delight watching this colourful little gem, flying from the perches into the water.
To complete my visit, I saw a large otter swim up the right hand channel and into the reeds. My camera didn't quite get there in time!!! Comments are closed.
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