Slaughter of gull chicks by Mink

Having made the effort with DP staff to try and save any chicks of any species on Sandford during heavy flooding, I was saddened by the flooding itself, then enraged today to discover ALL the 22-25 Black Headed Gull chicks were gone and the only likely culprit was Mink. I for one will do all I can to wipe out this non native vile predator from the Loddon valley. This spring alone, they have devasted all the gulls and terns nesting on Lea Farm GP and now Sandford, but at the moment we still have one remaining tern raft on Lavell's with 7-8 pairs of Common Terns with 5 chicks so far. Animal rights twats who let the mink out, do not identify yourself to me, or you will get a hard punch in the face.

Missed the first ever Quail

2012 is not working out to be a good one for adding to the life list, first I blew it on the Cranes and now I missed hearing the Quail reported on the 20th, having to leave before dusk, it called just once around 21:30 and the weather has been rubbish since, so not a call since. Even as a heard it became the 213th species for the patch. As nobody saw the Cranes they remain off the list.

Total wash out of wetland species

I met up with Richard and members of the DP team who brought old boats to moor up and we attempted to save the nesting birds from the low lying islands, specifically the Oystercatchers. But we were too late finding 2 of the 3 chicks already drowned and no Common Tern chicks hatched meant all eggs were lost. We did manage to save 22-25 Black headed Gull chicks and by save I mean transport them to the anchored old boats, so can only hope the foliage we placed inside would be enough cover. As we left many adults returned to sort out families, but the Oystercatcher constantly circling overhead calling mournfully, left me close to tears.

Nice start to June

A text from Geoff that he had a Garganey was quickly confirmed as a male going into eclipse, only the third ever June record for the area. Also present a pair of Shoveler, a very fine Little Egret, a brief but close Hobby and the most unusual of all a 2nd summer Yellow legged Gull, that quickly departed NE, then off SE.

Warm and quiet

Having seen 2 Oystercatcher flying around Lavell's during our Sunday work party, I wanted to check that we still had a sitting bird and sure enough we do, so as Richard Marsh already established this morning, these 2 were another pair, either from Twyford, or others. About a dozen Common Tern are settled in around the various islands too. At LFGP it was quiet, a family of Greylag, 3 of the 4 Redshank present and 4 Lapwing...giving us hope that a late breeding attempt is not out of the question.

Breeding season going well

Good directions from Richard provided views of the sitting Oystercatcher on Sandford, along with a dozen Common Tern. The Grey Heron was also still sitting on its nest on the main island of BSL. The Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers continue to feed young and we remain hopeful of successful fledging in the next week.

Ruff til dusk

Monday lunchtime and despite not seeing the text from Geoff, I arrived at LFGP to find him, Richard, Gray and Tony all looking at a juvenile Ruff on the Eastern lake edge. I got a few record shots, albeit poor quailty due to the distance. It was present at dusk still, along with 2 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover.