It was more of a
day for observing the breeding residents really. On the shore at the Quay, we couldn’t find any teal at all so perhaps
they’ve now moved on? A few redshanks were still there plus two greenshanks – based
on plumage both were probably immatures.
We usually see two
greylags in the area but today there was only one very vocal probable gander strutting
around on the mud in the Millars Park lagoon. Perhaps the goose is already sitting
on eggs?
A female mallard was leading c. six recently hatched ducklings up the
main lagoon channel, watched by a few nearby drakes. Across in North Wood, a pair of marsh tits was feeding either
on hazel buds or else taking tiny insects at the leaf bud tips.
Mistle thrushes
were busy collecting earth worms and various other soil invertebrates in one of
the roadside fields, so they could have fledged young any day now.
It’s also good to
know how the Ramsey choughs are settling to breed and to read about mainland
coastal chough sightings from elsewhere.