Avalon Marshes migrants
This evening, 2VP: 1 Garganey, 2 LRP (someone else had seen 3), 5 Green Sand, 45 Blackwit, 70 Lapwing, 20 Teal.
Birdguides has a report today of an adult Purple Heron on Shapwick at 10.30. Thought I’d mention it seeing as it’s not been posted on SOS yet.
This am:
Ham Wall VP2, 1 Garganey, 2 LRP, 5 Green Sand, 45 Blackwit, 33 Lapwing, very few Teal.
Noah’s, 2 Eg Geese, 3 Raven.
Ham Wall VP2 midday : 6 Green SandPipers and a couple of small flocks of Blacktailed Godwit moved around by Marsh Harrier activity, eventually managed a count of 31 together on the deck.. Yesterday while on Shapwick Heath a flock of 46 Blk Wits. flew over heading to Ham Wall Apart from Lapwings no other waders seen.
Just 2 Siskin west over 1VP this evening of note on Ham Wall.
Only waders on 2VP lagoon were a few Lapwing. Dean did report the Wood Sand on Sunday 5th on twitter. No Garganey this evening either.
6-July-2020
Again, no sign of a Wood Sandpiper late morning (10:30/12:45) either from the viewing screens or from the canal bank footpath opposite VP2. Only waders seen were 3 Green Sandpipers and a Redshank (from the screens) also a juv Water Rail; and just a few Lapwing opposite VP2.
Penny and Ann had been looking for the Wood Sandpiper for at least an hour prior to this, with out any sign.
5-July-2020
No sign of the Wood Sandpiper late morning (11:00/13:00) either from the viewing screens or from the canal bank footpath opposite VP2. Only waders seen was single Green Sandpiper and Redshank (from the screens) and at least 40 Lapwing mostly opposite VP2.
Wood Sand again this am but from the viewing screens today. Plus a juv Redshank with striking yellow-orange legs (no Garganey or Blackwits for me). And a Snipe. The 2VP lagoon is probably at its peak for being hard to work right now…
2 Wigeon, Meare Heath, of course.
Not as rubbish as me though. The colouration looked very similar to the Fudge ducks that I have seen previously in the area but it had gone out of sight before I had chance to get my scope out. It did not open its wings but I saw a flash of white below the wing on first sighting but not the second time it showed. It might be worth looking again. None of the hybrids shown in Collins look anything like it.
Hi Daniel. Same bird as I saw Penny this morning. Unusual colours for a Tufted and it looked quite bulky? I hoped that her picture would clarify things.
I think Penny took the image down now, but from what I saw, it had a rectangular head with dark brown iris, diffuse nail on the bill, some speckles around the lores and no white around the pelvic region. Looked ok for an advanced (i.e. early brood) juvenile TD, but obviously a single photo on twitter is not the same as seeing it in the field - I’m also a bit rubbish with ducks.
Cheers Dan
Hi Daniel. Same bird as I saw Penny this morning. Unusual colours for a Tufted and it looked quite bulky? I hoped that her picture would clarify things.
Very nice Martin, potentially of interest Penny (@fegwitch) posted an image of a very russet/ochre coloured juvenile Tufted duck this afternoon, though that had an obvious dark eye. Did your bird happen to flap its wings?
Green Sands and Snipe the only waders this morning but there is a 95% certain Ferruginous Duck present. I could not see any obvious white area below the tail but everything else was right for an eclipse male or female. Rich brown below, darker wings and pale eye. The bird seemed very nervous, swimming rapidly from one area to another so only briefly seen.
The Wood Sand reported on birdguides this afternoon from Ham Wall was still present this evening, although it was flushed at 7pm and disappeared at the back of the 2VP lagoon. Also there were 2 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand and 4 Garganey. No Blackwits.
2 Wigeon still on Meare Heath.
I was in Ham wall yesterday morning and can add that at least one of the many Lapwing seen was a well fledged juvenile. Also a number of Sand Martins around and 2 Bearded Tits seen between VP1 and 2 from the grass path. I also saw 2 Wigeon on Meare Heath on Saturday.
This afternoon/evening, Dan W and I spent some time on Ham Wall independently. When I left, we were cumulatively on:
3 Garganey 2VP, probably drake, duck and juv but all a bit scrappy.
Plus 4 Blackwit, 2 Green Sand, about 20 Lapwing and a handful of Teal.1 Wigeon on Meare Heath (!)
Dan may have more to add…
Not much more I’m afraid Andy, a Hobby repeatedly making a pass at a Lapwing was certainly noteworthy, and the first time I’ve seen this species make an attempt at such as large prey item. There appeared to be a good SW movement of Swift throughout the day however.