Autumn wader passage begins

I returned to the patch after missing last weekend. Dave and I slogged round to no great effect, seeing two Small Heath butterflies, the Tawny Owl in its shed roost site, two Teal and six Tufted Ducks. Fortunately for us John Yardley was having more success, and he rang to say he had found a Dunlin. We headed back to the flash and eventually located his summer plumaged Dunlin on the furthest flash. Mike turned up and also saw it. I then noticed that four Green Sandpipers had appeared in the corner of the nearest flash. Presumably they had been in the long grass earlier on. Autumn passage has begun.


Dunlin

This is the first Dunlin I have seen here in June. On balance we felt it was probably returning south rather than still heading north. Perhaps it was just too late on the breeding grounds to find a mate.