One Good Tern...

I wanted to check in and see if it was the same chap as last year... it certainly looks like it, he's wearing the same ankle jewelry. The Mrs is the one without.

I had run out of DVD's to burn, so a run down to the Docks, checking on the progress of the Common Terns, especially after last year, one of the birds (an old friend) is ringed and has returned from 2009 (must be lost or mad). Has three youngsters this year. Again. I did wonder if any of the others that have terned up this year are related?

How can you tell the difference between the sexes? Well she seem to be staying at home looking after the kids and he is doing all the fishing! (hey don't blame me, that's the way it is! See the pics below — it was just the same last year. Oh and yes he takes his tern at looking after the kids too).

Despite being called 'Common' there are only about 15,000 pairs in the UK and they migrate every year from west Africa, arriving in the UK in April before departing in September(ish).

Marshside Avocets — a la Gene Kelly

I couldn't help but think of Paul Simon's song 'Mother and Child Reunion', but just showing my age.

Yes another fine summers day on the coast in North West England.

With a half hour lunch managed a few bandits in the rain (I'm a laugh in, I'm a sing in... in the rain, hence the title! Nevermind).

A family of young Avocets (3) growing up and feeding for themselves while mum and dad went ballistic with aerial gymnastics if any gull dared to approach. So Avocets in the rain, sedge warbler singing his head off, Swifts bombing the footpath (looking for insects in a sheltered location), Linnet and Meadow Pipit, (near the car park) while a Grey Heron took on an eel for lunch. Eventually being pursued by another. Godwits, Redshank and a lone Wigeon. Swallows and of course Black-Headed Gulls et al. There was a Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint apparently, but I couldn't really see it, even through the RSPB scope in the grey, sodden, overcast conditions. There was a smudge on the horizon... does that count?

On the marsh

As the sun sets, the shadows lengthen.

Black Tailed Godwits in the evening sun.

The light becomes flat.

This young Lapwing had a parent in constant attention, while brothers and sisters were less adventurous. It makes you wonder, who made it, as it will be unlikely they all survived adolescence.

With the lack of rain, the water levels have dropped allowing further food sources to become accessible and available.