Also worth watching is the kingfisher hunting over the new scrape at Hempholme. In a previous post we reported sticklebacks in the ditches - and a look today revealed masses; clearly the small numbers present after have reproduced hugely given the lack of predators at present. And the kingfisher is doing an excellent impression of pied kingfisher 'hover-hunting.'
However excellent news yesterday from South Marsh East - after a lot of running around sorting water levels in the last month the avocets have successfully hatched (for the first time ever at Tophill). Two chicks yesterday and three today with the birds still apparently incubating more:
Unfortunately they are at the mercy of the weather which besides predators are the biggest threats to young avocets. These birds have taken a gamble in colonising the marsh on the basis that predators may not have learnt to exploit them at Tophill. Avocet colonies often go through an expansion and sudden collapse as one predator realises 'these are an easy meal' and wipes the lot out in a season. Hopefully they'll come good though - the birds parenting to date cannot be faulted.
Otherwise ten little gulls, hobbys, grey wagtail, and water rails and daylight hunting otters on North Marsh have been notable sightings.
A couple more firsts this week - a (subject to a final check of the list) - varied coronet found by Doug and Martin:
