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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