Well at least we've finally been having some rain though it is of course far too late for the completely dried-up floods. There have been a few birds of interest to keep things ticking over this last week though to be honest they are pretty slim pickings.
Top of the list is a report of a couple of CUCKOOS in the Trap Grounds last Saturday that two independent observers saw (or at least heard). It's great to have this declining species on the year list - I thought that we'd missed our chance this year to be honest.
Another point of interest was a male YELLOW WAGTAIL that spent several days singing in amongst the patch of Docks down near the boats. It clearly had taken a liking to the spot and was trying to establish a territory but I'm sure that no self-respecting female was going to try to set up a home in such a public area and so he must have given up and moved on.
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| The singing male Yellow Wagtail, trying to establish a territory |
I've taken to wandering along the river this week. As the river level gradually falls from the lack of rain it is leaving quite a nice shoreline and I did find a nice COMMON SANDPIPER there for my troubles. It's funny but this is usually the only species that one gets along the river shoreline - it just doesn't seem to appeal to other waders. There was also a COMMON TERN fishing on my first trip but to be honest I haven't seen many of those recently either. It is of course Mayfly season now and there are a few Black-headed Gulls and Hirundines working their way up and down the river though I've not seen many emerging flies so far. Perhaps the weather has been a bit too unsettled.
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| This week's Common Sandpiper |
Sadly we feel that signal crayfish are to blame for lack of fly hatch. They need to be iliminated if we are to see mayfly/caddis etc. No insects - no Birds.
ReplyDeleteSadly we feel that signal crayfish are to blame for lack of fly hatch. They need to be iliminated if we are to see mayfly/caddis etc. No insects - no Birds.
ReplyDelete