Passage begins

I did a quick hour around Lavell's from 08:30, on arrival at Bittern Hide, the same adult Little-ringed Plover was around, plus a Lapwing occasionally chasing it.

Then all of a sudden the first autumn Green Sandpiper, an adult, appeared on the bund too, came quite close, then over to the right hand back mud.

I took a bit of video, but so far have not been successful in getting it posted here.

There were two Little Egrets, 1 juvenile on the scrape, the adult on the old tern island.

Finally as Geoff has been seeing Silver-Washed Fritillary on brambles half way between the hides, I have started looking and took my first Butterfly photo ever - a male Gatekeeper.

Later on further reports of Silver-washed Fritillary brought me back at lunchtime and despite not seeing one, I got shots of Speckled Wood and Large Skipper?, the latter being rather tricky as it kept moving when I went close, so I scoped it from 25 feet to get the shot.

The Green Sandpiper and LRP still present on Tern Scrape.

A July Bittern?

I got a call from the DP fishing warden (Simon), saying a fisherman he knew well said he saw a Bittern at WSL on Tuesday at midday.

I went there last night, met him (Neil) and spent the evening until dark, waiting and chatting about Bitterns and various other bird and fish related topics. From our discussions and the fact it was only 30-40 feet from him, I am convinced he saw one, sadly it didn't show.

Around 21:00 we heard a Sparrowhawk calling from somewhere towards the Loddon and somewhat later we saw Tawny Owl (my first this year) flying over around 22:30 and I heard a lot of calls from Middile Marsh as I left at 23:10.

It is well worth all of us keeping an eye out at our reed beds, as there is a good chance the Bittern is around somewhere. The only other July Bittern record was the one I identified on 29th July 1983, I say identified as a local couple (Jim & Cath Harrison) also said they had seen a brown heron like bird in the previous day or so.

Apart from the long staying Bittern of 2003, there have only been 2 August birds, so a July one is incredibly rare.

A bit of house keeping

I might yet get out for 30 mins today, but in the meantime, I thought I begin updating my lists - predictions for my 2014 and the DP life list, the latter being mostly a combo of educated guess work and wishful thinking.

Oystercatcher juvenile still here

I popped down in the rain yesterday and saw the Oystercatcher chick was growing quickly, even catching both adults on a feeding change over.

Not sure where the tiny Common Tern chick has gone, doesn't look good, but larger one at a size where it can avoid predation and flooding threats now.

Oystercatcher breeding success

On Tuesday I managed 30 mins at Sandford, to see if the Oystercatcher chick found last Friday/Saturday, was still present. It was, but had moved to the island behind, but was keeping low in the vegetation, no doubt a good strategy, with Herring Gulls still patrolling overhead. I hope it makes it to adulthood this time, third time lucky.

Still no sign of Gadwall young, but 2-3 Common Tern chicks present, so at least a few made it beyond the flash floods of May and June.

The Wigeon has gone into eclipse plumage now.

The remainder of June, doesn't usually promise too much excitement as early June's of many a year gone by has produced Black Tern, Garganey & Little Tern.

Now we might be hoping for early passage Green & Common Sandpiper, maybe Ringed Plover as we come into July, more of the same, plus hopefully Dunlin, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and on the optimistic side Wood Sandpiper and rare still Little Stint!

Early passerines to look for would be Wood Warbler in the tit flocks, Redstart from mid, or more likely late July and the same for Wheatear.

When I can I'll be looking up, hoping for a good raptor.

Sandford breeders?

A look at lunchtime today provided families of Great Crested Grebe + 2 young, Mallards, Moorhen and 5+ Gadwall, with a pair without young. On the island Common Terns still present, Tufted Ducks, plus a secretive looking Oystercatcher and a male Wigeon.

In the car park families of Swallow were alighting the wires

Back but not with avengence

I took a walk out LFGP the morning after returning home on the 7th. Very quiet, bar the Wigeon and Mandarin with 2 young.

Sunday the 8th I joined the monthly bird walk and again it was quiet, at least 1 Sand Martin went into the wall at LFGP, so we can hope that it is successful.

Despite the lovely warm weather, no raptors other than Kites and Buzzard were up, an Oystercatcher on Sandford might give hope that they will attempt nesting again.

Anyone interested can now catch up with my Philippine Birding blog, as I have just finished updating it.

Whilst I was away Ringed Plover was seen 28th and off patch just about everyone I know saw the Great Reed Warbler at Green Park...but I'm not bitter, honest!