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Avocet from Marshlands hide Nikon D7000 Sigma 50-500mm

So the last week of mystery sounds has regrettably arrived although undoubtedly it won't be the last you'll hear of our sound clips as there are still so many to share. It's not been the best week for weather as some soggy cattle would have been more than happy to confirm on Wednesday...

We now head into June and our wildlife are right in the middle of the breeding season - they are busy trying to raise a family with more and more signs of youngsters about the place. Starting with those avocets - we had 25 present on site today with many still sitting on eggs. These close views can...

Hi, This week has seen a bit of change in our marsh harrier behaviour. Just a week ago we have been watching one of our male marsh harrier taking pieces of reed into a potential nest site and now today many of our marsh harriers were taking advantage of our first dry day for a while to start building...

This week has seen a marked increase in avocets present on marshland lagoon with around 20 there on Monday to 67 on marshland today! This also means an increase in avocet volumn with their distinctive ' kluit kluit' call that they make echoing around the reserve - a sound of spring at Blacktoft...

On Monday we had an extremely close view as a bittern flew past reception just 10 metres in front of us and ended up going into the edge of the reeds on the right hand side of first. This offered us excellent views of the wonderful marked pulmage on this rare bird. This last few weeks has seen a increase...

This week has seen the return of some of our spectacular smart looking male marsh harriers as they establish their territories about the reserve. They are now present throughout the day - particularly from singleton and first hides. The action will peak over coming weeks as they sort out their boundaries...

Again taken from Singleton hide 11/08/2011.Adult Avocet feeding.

A little bigger and it looks like this.

One of our chicks currently seen on marshland

Taken on Marshlands yesterday

So what would you like? Garganey, bittern, black-tailed godwit, barn owl, spotted redshank, water rail, avocet or just a yellow wagtail? Well we have them all and even more! The pair of Garganey that turned up in the storms on Monday were still here today enjoying their time of first lagoon along...

Well Monday was windy at Blacktoft but that didn't stop our wonderful wildlife. A pair of garganey decided to join us on first lagoon offering excellent views from reception and first hides. Then down on marshland there were black-tailed godwits, avocets chicks, snipe, water rail and a different...

Well today started with another sighting of our friendly hare running along the path in front of reception. Then down on marshland, we had a spotted redshank (in full summer plumage), those black-tailed godwits , the noisy avocets (and chicks), sedge and reed warblers along those reeds. This afternoon...

This bird was one of the 103 that I counted at Marshlands lagoon on 29 April 2011 As Pat Crofton's shot shows (see gallery) our Avocets provide excellent photo opportunities.

This shows you the underneath of a flying avocet. Note all white with black wing tips.

Proof that "Things Are Happening"! Marshlands Hide. Another pair were starting to excavate a nest scrape on one of the island in the lagoon.

Taken @ Blacktoft sands in 2009. Got very lucky this day. I had the hide all to myself & the Avocets were very close.