Friday 12th April: Garganey

Things stepped up a gear today with more spring action. To start with there were two singing Chiffchaffs heard on the way to the floods late afternoon: one by Walton Well Rd car park and one over towards Medley Farm. There were a couple of Swallows seen, including one loitering by the boats which looked like it could be one of "our" birds that breed on the Meadow. A flock of about 20 Sand Martins went over followed later by two other birds. On the wader front many of the LITTLE RINGED PLOVER seem to have moved on as there were just two today, accompanied by 2 RINGED PLOVER, 4 DUNLIN and the five REDSHANK still. On the duck front the two SHELDUCK are still hanging around, there are plenty of Teal, some Wigeon, a few Shoveler and a few Gadwall. But the highlight of the day was a lovely pair of GARGANEY on the North Shore, feeding away quite happily in the muddy grass. We usually get a sighting of this lovely duck at some point each year though it's by no means guaranteed. Well worth getting soaked in an April shower for!



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