Fri 5th July 19

The slow trickle of returning waders continues, no sign of yesterdays LRP or Dunlin but a smart male Ruff was new in. A new brood of Avocet chicks were on the small island on the right hand side of the scrape but only a total of 8 seen this morning, I think some of the larger chicks are hiding up behind the island.
From the Hide :- 11 Shelduck (3 + 8), 26 Avocet, (18 + 8), 6 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 4 Cormorant, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Linnet. PRD/MR/JH

Also noted, a Cuckoo flew south passed the hide first thing with a large number of Meadow Pipit in pursuit PRD.

On the mounds 5 Whitethroat, 5 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, c 16 Swallows were sitting in the entrance to the sluice and the male Stonechat was on the bushes on the way to the hide.
Pete Davis had a Sedge Warbler feeding young on the mounds earlier.