Wednesday 21 April 2010

21st April 2010 - NBBR

Per Rob H & Chris G

Rob:
At Manor Farm this evening, highlight was a female BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL in the pasture field between the farm and the pits. The bird then flew off towards the pit and I couldn't relocate it. The bird looked very similar to the individual seen & photographed at Calvert by Tim a couple of years ago, but the superc. was more flared behind the ear coverts (apparently within variation) and the throat was a touch cleaner white than the Calvert bird.

Just as nice were the numbers of Yellow Wag - c30 in total, the largest spring flock I've seen in Bucks for a long time.

On the pits were 8 LRP, 2 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 1 Shelduck, and 1 Oyc. Unfortunately the water levels have dropped again, by about 6ft, and conditions are looking less and less suitable for waders. Does anyone know anything about the pumping regime at MF? Hopefully it will stop soon, or maybe rainfall will top up the water levels.

Chris:
Was down this afternoon Rob and yep that waters getting low though for what reason I don't know as work appears to have stopped again, anyone?

Didn't spot the Blue-Head (but then I never would) but i'd double that number for Yellowags on site at least, they were in abundunce along the far west slopes where the sheep are and in the 'flat' field around the farmhouse heading back towards the main road as well as the ones dotted around the pits themselves. In the small field heading down to the pits there were seventeen in one small area at one time, quite a site in the afternoon sun. Only addition to your sighting, one of the White Wagtails out on the mud around Godwit Corner and again on the nearside banking.

No comments:

Post a Comment