The seasons are changing - ever so subtly, but changing they are. It's only the end of May, but the first post-breeding lapwing flocks are starting to gather. These are birds that for whatever reason have not bred this year, or have tried to breed unsuccessfully. As June progresses, their numbers will increase as they are joined by other adult lapwing that have successfully nested and by their recently fledged young. I have already seen the first of our lapwing chicks take to the air, as well as (just!) the first redshank chick. The first avocet will not be far behind them. Avocets seem to be having a pretty good year so far: the pool in front of Southfleet hide had eight broods that I could see this evening, totalling at least 21 chicks. And another indication of the changing season is the fact that the first returning autumn waders will soon be with us! You can almost set your watch for the return of either the first spotted redshank or green sandpiper on either the 9th or 10th June. Both these species breed in the northern European forest zone and so don't have as far to go (or to come back) as the high Arctic species like grey plover or little stint. In fact, it's still not too late for a stint or a curlew sandpiper to drop into the reserve on their way further north. But the next spotted redshank will definitely be on it's way back south again!
The spoonbill returned to the Flood yesterday & today - there's more water here than on the drying out pools it's been frquenting recently. Just in front of Southfleet hide, a drake ruddy duck dropped in unexpectedly this evening - a rare sight these days. Still at least a pair of garganey around the pools at Sharfleet Creek, where a group of Med gulls is often present. There were two seperate barn owls hunting the reserve this evening: the bird at Kingshill Farm hunting well & bringing in 2 prey items to the nest while I was out watering my vegetable plot. The other bird was hunting along the counterwall at Wellmarsh. Also buzzard & hobby about. And still a cuckoo around Kingshill Farm