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| Common Sandpiper |
If you have been to the reserve in the past couple of weeks you might have noticed that autumn migration is already underway. In the last couple of days we have seen several parties of House Martin's moving south as well as a handful of Swifts. Meanwhile on the lake the Black-headed Gull's have begun to arrive again as well as a few juveniles mixed in.
Around the muddy edges the first waders of autumn have arrived namely in the shape of a couple of Common Sandpipers, as well as a Greenshank which flew over calling but was not seen. Lately there has been one particular bird which was very showy as it went about catching the Poecilobothrus nobilitatus flies on the scrape in front of the Tern Hide. This gave great views to all the visitors as well as allowing some nice photographs to be taken. See the photo's below to see the bird hunting the small flies which were laying eggs on the silt.
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| Common Sandpiper hunting Poecilobothrus nobilitatus flies |
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| Common Sandpiper |
Every so often the bird would stand still and pose for us all to enjoy. It really was incredible seeing it so close. At a distance a Common Sandpiper looks like quite a plain brown/green bird but up close they are something else. Hopefully there will be a few more before the winter sets in. Keep your eyes peeled around the scrapes to see if you can find your own.
Cracking shots Jake.
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