This afternoon I visited Lodmoor in the hope of seeing the Lesser Yellow-legs, Cattle Egret, Slavonian Grebe and Red-necked Grebe, and yep I didn't see any of them!!
What I did see was a lot and I mean a lot of Snipe, they were everywhere. It wasn't just the Snipe in good numbers but Lapwing, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits.
There was a small flock of Black-headed Gulls on the reserve and in amongst them were a couple of Common Gulls and several Mediterranean Gulls, with two of the latter sporting leg rings.
A Marsh Harrier appeared on the far bank and appeared to dive down for a snack.
Here are a few images:
What great views you have if you live in these houses overlooking Lodmoor. Here a Marsh Harrier passes by just metres from the front garden.
These are Black-tailed Godwits, not to be confused with their similar looking cousins the Bar-tailed Godwit. Black-tailed Godwits tend favour freshwater unlike Bar-tails preference to salt marshes and estuaries.
I seem to be finding Mediterranean Gulls with leg rings this one had black numbers 1425 on a white ring.
This one has metal ring, and most likely the other leg had a a white plastic ring, but wasn't about to show me.
A Marsh Harrier appeared on the far bank and appeared to dive down for a snack.
Here are a few images:
Lorton Valley Nature park with Lodmoor in the south-east corner.
One of the many Snipe here on the reserve.
And two more.
A Dunlin, behind him were dozens more.
A Common Gull has a stretch.
And finally a Lapwing.
Birds Recorded: 3 Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling and Chaffinch.