Today’s visit to the
Farm was two fold one to complete a WeBS count the other with a feint expectation of what the storm might have dropped in. Every corner of the site would be covered. After yesterdays torrential rain the ground was always going to be on the
soggy side and difficult in parts to traverse but my objective was clear.
The focus today was
on ducks and shorebirds so without wasting any time I started at the North
lake. It did not take long to spy a Garganey in front on the main island. The
bird was roosting on the water behind the raft.
The next challenge
was to get some pictures of the bird. The path along to Eland’s Island was
clear so I took a short walk along the lakes perimeter and then waited for the
bird to stir. Some thirty minutes later and the bird was contently feeding on
the green algae.
A group from the Croydon
RSPB was on site this morning and the Garganey was the perfect start to their
day. The group observed a Peregrine that had taken a disliking to a Kestrel that
was hunting over the South Lake and a short pursuit ensued but lunch was not
served as a result!
The rest of the
morning was also productive with Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Green
Sandpiper and Lapwing making up the species of shorebird. The ducks were
represented by single figures of Gadwall, Teal, and Shoveler. Mallard and Tufted
completed the species list.
A Little Egret had snuck onto the North Lake by the time the group had made it to the top of the landfill.
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