This predictions business isn't easy you know. A couple of posts ago, I suggested that a couple of nice June surprises for the reserve might involve a roller or a squacco heron. Imagine my frustration when first a roller appeared on Monday. In Suffolk. And then today came the news that there was a squacco heron at Dungeness. Right county this time, but the wrong end! Just as well I'm not the betting type..
Yesterday saw the re-appearance of the spoonbill on the Flood and today there were two, both sub-adult birds. There are a few scattered around the UK at the moment, but there were two at the Cliffe Pools reserve y/day, so it's tempting to suggest that these could be they. Also on the Flood today 7 "black" spotted redshank at Wellmarsh hide, fishing amongst over 250 black-tailed godwits. A flock of 26 gadwall on the Flood suggests to me that this species has had a duff breeding season - I've yet to see a single gadwall or shoveler duckling. Quite a few mallard & shelduck broods + a few pochard, but no sign yet of any other "dabblers". Or tufties for that matter..There were also 3 green sandpipers on the pools at Kingshill Farm. Raptors today included 2 buzzard and single hobby and sparrowhawk