Wednesday 2nd May 2012 - Morning/Afternoon

Getting cosy...

Well I had tickets in my pocket for Marston Vale but things were so good at the Farm I never made it to the station, Bedfordshire can wait.


The flooding has eased a bit, the Ouse down at least a couple of feet of Mondays high and no longer pouring into the (lower) site. Has to be said it is better for it, the main area a mass of water with a smattering of islands the place at the moment is a magnet for birds.


On arriving Swifts were noticably abundant in number whilst on the slope a pair of Northern Wheatear, clearly Greenlanders, picked about between the sheep.


Whilst scanning across the water five gulls headed in low from the west over the canal, it wasn't till they were almost alongside me that I took a second look and noticed they were a party of Little Gulls, two in fine summer plumage and quite a sight. Sadly they didn't stop and drifting off west.


Back to the water and a drake Shoveler amongst a handful of Tufted Duck and a pair of Great Crested Grebe deep into courtship were noted before getting my eye in on the waders. Little Ringed Plover are again strong in numbers, darting about looking to make up for lost time perhaps. Also a couple of Ringed Plovers consorting with a pair of Dunlin, later three other Dunlin dropped in making it five on site at one time. Three Oystercatchers were noted, including two getting rather cosy whilst a pair of Common Redshank picked around the margins too.  A pair of Common Snipe also dropped in from height to doze on the of the newly formed islands whilst a single Common Sandpiper was observed landing but not seen again.


Common Terns were  passing through steadily with at least five hanging around the area all day, including one clever individual picking trapped fish off the last remaining field of meadow by the river, several Little Egret could be found doing the same. Again a Hobby was noted overhead circling the site.


Heading along the riverside walk itself several more Wheatears were noted especially on the hay bales that seem to have formed parts of now washed away banking. A handful of Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail could also be found along the North Shore of the site but are such a fixture now,along with those Wheatears, I was overlooking anything moving about the tree protectors till an odd 'blackbird' was seen nearer the waterline. Hopping between the green plastic poles it took two or three views from different angles to confirm a female Ring Ouzel. Just as I was texting off the news it shot out from cover along with a male alongside and the pair looped over to the west, settling in the pasture along Back Brook to the west. The male was located again on the fence and later on the gravel road back inside the main area.


All in all another good day.