Thursday 5 May 2016

WOW - Kate Bush

Part Three
of the May Day Parade certainly started with the
WOW FACTOR
when arriving at the Gravel Pit to find this
Summer Plumage
LITTLE GREBE
still in residence.
We always live in hope that they might breed one year, and this is the
nearest we have come to that.
Such a secretive little bird they can disappear in the
Blink of an Eye
and who knows the other may just be quietly sat on eggs not too far away????
Here's hoping!
and although Mallard had been recorded long before this, the
New Family
(which yesterday numbered c13 ducklings now appear to have decreased to just c8)
While talking of potential breeding birds
this is the first we have seen of the female
EGYPTIAN GOOSE
in a fortnight. The male has stood sentinel close by for all of this time
and now he has vanished. The theory continues to be a
Nest Hole in a tree somewhere close at hand?
 As yet no nests of
LAPWING
have been located but there has been plenty of activity in the
Displaying Department.
We are keeping a good look-out for any further progression.
 GREY SQUIRREL
As mentioned and recorded before
SHELDUCK
seemingly unconcerned with our presence.
PIED WAGTAIL
presented no problems at all now nesting in the Solar Panel Compound,
but there had been some pre-race doubt about recording
 STARLING
which in the event proved to be easy. However, and back to the
'pinning down' theory, we did have a couple 'staked out' nesting,
in the now vacant recess where once the
Starboard Navigation Light
would have been fixed on this now redundant aircraft.
(at least we hope it's redundant)
Similarly, a Rolls Royce Style nest site had been chosen by this pair of
STOCK DOVE
As a short diversion a
FOX
crossed our track before continuing the business in hand.
WILLOW WARBLER
had been 'heard' long before now but then showed in the flesh while
recently arrived 
HOUSE MARTIN
(with a lone Swallow)
both at the Manor and Eco set about the prime task of nest building.
COOT
meanwhile at the Irrigation Pond
are now well into incubation but the
CANADA GEESE
are still going through a period of uncertainty at the same location.
Much further North, there was a 'certainty' of a few additions at the
Sewerage Works Fence
which started with
 COAL TIT
 predictably hugging the fence which always seems to be a favoured perch.
 FIELD FORGET-ME-NOT
 LONG-TAILED TIT
 which regular viewers may remember have incorporated their nest in the
Chain Link!
We can now report that they are feeding young and best efforts will be made
to photograph the offspring.
 BULLFINCH
(male)
 BULLFINCH
(female)
 RABBIT
which are now reaching plague proportions hereabouts.
 It was only the familiar 'calling' of a passing
 MEDITERRANEAN GULL
which drew our attention, otherwise it would have passed unnoticed.
An unusual spot to be seen as only the 'second' recorded here ever.
 Also 'on the wing' one of the local
KESTREL
 while male
GOLDCREST
appear to be going berserk during this period of courting and breeding.
 STONECHAT
 (male)
STONECHAT
(female)
brings our Third Chapter to a close. We will bring to you the Final Part of the May Day birds seen tomorrow, while considering an epilogue of those that were missed or simply didn't show, if only to emphasise the value (or not) of Reconnaissance, Stake Outs and Pinning Down!
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