Cress Marsh 2021

Had an hour today. Sad to see the two Avocet nests on the main lagoon scrapes have been replaced by black headed gulls. However, on the scrape to the left of the lagoon, running alongside the main path I did see two Avocet parents fighting off a carrion crow, and protecting two chicks happily feeding along the margins. Also, two Peewits being very aggressive toward the same crow, and protecting one solitary chick.

23rd May
Weather: Sunny with showers, cool, SW wind.
Time on site: 14:00-15:00

Avocet    8
Barnacle Goose    1
Black-Headed Gull    15
Canada Goose    4
Chiffchaff    1
Cormorant    1
Grey Heron    1
Greylag Goose    29
Herring Gull    c100
Lapwing    3
Lesser Black-backed Gull    c70
Little Egret    7
Little Grebe    1
Little Ringed Plover    2
Magpie    2
Mallard    1
Mute Swan    34
Oystercatcher    2
Pied Wagtail    3
Shelduck    5
Skylark    2
Swallow    10+
Swift    10+
Whitethroat    1
Yellow Wagtail    1
Yellowhammer    2

All records entered into BirdTrack.

22nd May
Weather: Overcast with showers, NW breeze, cool.
Time on site: 14:15-15:50

Avocet    5
Barnacle Goose    1
Black-Headed Gull    14
Canada Goose    4
Cetti's Warbler    1
Chiffchaff    1
Grey Heron    2
Greylag Goose    30
Herring Gull    80
Lapwing    5
Lesser Black-backed Gull    40
Little Egret    7
Little Ringed Plover    1
Mallard    9
Mute Swan    20
Oystercatcher    2
Pied Wagtail    4
Shelduck    16
Skylark    1
Swallow    10
Tufted Duck    2
Woodpigeon    2
Yellow Wagtail    1
Yellowhammer    1

All records entered into BirdTrack.

A few pictures from this afternoon. Counted 3 Avocets actually sat on eggs, plus quite a few very well hidden Peewits around the site also on the nest.

16th May
Weather: Sun, warm, E breeze
Time on site: 13:40-15:10

Avocet    8
Black-Headed Gull    12
Blackbird    1
Canada Goose    4
Carrion Crow    1
Cetti's Warbler    1
Chiffchaff    1
Great Black-backed Gull    2
Grey Heron    2
Greylag Goose    53
Herring Gull    77
House Martin    2
Lapwing    4
Lesser Black-backed Gull    30
Little Egret    5
Little Grebe    1
Little Ringed Plover    3
Magpie    2
Mallard    4
Mute Swan    18
Oystercatcher    2
Pheasant    1
Pied Wagtail    3
Robin    1
Shelduck    15
Skylark    2
Spoonbill    1
Tufted Duck    2

All records entered into BirdTrack.

12th May
Weather: Sunshine, warm, SW breeze
Time on site: 17:10-18:30

Avocet    6
Black-Headed Gull    12
Canada Goose    4
Carrion Crow    2
Chiffchaff    2
Common Sandpiper    1
Cormorant    1
Goldfinch    1
Greylag Goose    18
Herring Gull    c50
Kestrel    1
Lapwing    5
Lesser Black-back Gull    c35
Little Egret    3
Little Ringed Plover    3
Magpie    1
Mallard    6
Mute Swan    45
Oystercatcher    2
Pheasant    1
Pied Wagtail    2
Reed Bunting    1
Sedge Warbler    1
Shelduck    17
Skylark    2
Spoonbill    1
Swallow    3
Tufted Duck    2
Wheatear    1
Yellowhammer    1

All records entered into BirdTrack.