13 August 2010

A damp but dry start, however it didn't last long and heavy rain lasted until I left, the wind was quite light from the north west, temp 14c, visit from 05.55 - 07.55.

Due to the bad weather we didn't see many species but it was high on quality, 34 Mute Swans were present with 4 on the model boating lake and the rest on the main lake, the strange goings on continue with the Great Crested Grebe family on the boating lake, at this rate I can't see the young chicks lasting long, a single Shoveler was on the boating lake with another 7 on the main lake, also on the main lake a single Pochard, 70 Tufted Duck a Cape Shelduck from who knows where, a Teal and a Ruddy Duck, but don't tell anyone, there were 2 yesterday but may be DEFRA found out and managed to bag one, NOT.

One of the highlights of the day came with the 2nd Green Sandpiper of the week, it was flushed from the bank of the main lake and then flew around the main lake, it seemed to be taking insects of the top of the water before flying off high, along the nature reserve side of the main lake, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers and a Willow Tit were in the Tit flock and while at the top of the main lake a Cormorant flew over heading south, as I was leaving Westport along the canal I could hear a Wader calling, I thought the Green Sandpiper had come back and ran back down to the main lake to find a Greenshank flying around calling non stop, it continued to do so for about 10 minutes sometimes being chased by a Black-headed Gull, it eventually flew high still calling and headed off south, a new Westport tick for me and I think one of only a handful of records for Westport Lake.