Martin Mere and Marshside

After reports of Black Winged Stilt at Martin Mere todays plans were to call in their and then on to Marshside to just see what was there.

Bu Curlew Lane we picked up a lone Corn Bunting plus a pair of Grey Partridge in the field.

Corn Bunting

From the Ron Barker hide there was no sign of the Stilts but the light was great and the reflections of the Avocets and other birds just some thing else.

Shelduck coming into land

Avocet

Also seen were Ringed Plover, Redshank, Whooper Swan (I think these are the ones that sick around all year) plus Teal and Shelduck.
By the Swan Link hide I did my good deed for the day and reunited some duckings with their mother, they really had the cute factor.

At Marshside really close views were had of Avocet as always plus Black Tailed Godwit and a nice bonus of Common Sandpiper that the Avocets really didn't like on their island. Also around were Black Head Gulls and a pair of Oystercatcher.

Avocet settling on nest

Common Sandpiper

Avocets having a scrap

Black Tailed Godwit

Avocet chasing off the Common Sandpiper

From the main hide we headed down to Nel's Hide where we saw Ruff, Pintail, Gadwall, Golden Plover and Little Stint.

Over by the old sand works there were plenty of Wheatear around plus the odd Meadow Pipit and Sky Lark.

Male Wheater



Male Wheatear

 Although we didn't see our target bird we did pick up some bonus birds, so 3 extra for the year list can't be all bad.