Saturday 8 May 2021

Gann

Fairly quiet here at the moment, and not been able to put many hours in either.  The adult dark-bellied Brent Goose still here today, having first been seen on the 5th.  A drake Shelduck loitering on his own is hopefully a sign that there is a female hidden somewhere now on eggs.  3 Mallard with a single female, no sign of the ducklings seen on 23rd, either they are hidden away somewhere or they didn't survive very long.

On the wader front a smart breeding plumaged Sanderling on 5th, with 10 Turnstone some of which were also in full breeding attire - a very smart thing! Single Grey Plover the same day, and 25 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover (just 10 of the former and none of the latter this afternoon, but the beach was disturbed by 3 dogs belting around so may have been more on the Musselwick side).  A single Redshank on the lagoon for the last few days. The Oystercatcher flock is still 50 strong, and includes yellow X4 from Ireland still.

A pair of Rock Pipit on the ridge is interesting (for May): a possible breeding attempt on the cards?  Derek's Lesser Whitethroat still near the car park and a second bird has been singing from the blackthorn top end of the lagoon. (Dave & Lisa)