This morning I visited RSPB Vange Marsh which is only 4 miles from home and easily reached by local buses.
RSPB Vange Marsh is a mosaic of wetland habitats with fresh and saltwater lagoons attracting many breeding birds in spring and summer, passage migrant waders especially in late summer and autumn and large numbers of ducks in winter. There are no specific facilities in the way of a visitor centre or hides but nature trails and public footpaths allow viewing over the wetland areas.
The principal issue at RSPB Vange Marsh is that the views are towards the south so bright sunny days are problematic. In addition, birds are always very distant requiring a telescope (which on warm and sunny days creates even worse problems with heat haze) and photography opportunities are extremely limited.
I decided to visit RSPB Vange Marsh this morning due primarily to recent reports of at least 5 Spotted Redshanks and a single Wood Sandpiper.
I was successful in seeing 6 Spotted Redshanks, this species being a further addition to my UK year list taking it to 183 species. Unfortunately, I failed to locate the Wood Sandpiper which would have been another addition to my UK year list.
The other highlight was the abundance of butterflies, not least at least 35 Marbled Whites.
The notable sightings from my visit with regard to birds were as follows (heard only records in italics): Spotted Redshank (6 seen in various moulting stages from summer to winter plumage), Common Redshank (9), Greenshank (2), Avocet (13), Black-tailed Godwit (10), Lapwing (6), Little Egret (2), Mute Swan (9), Egyptian Goose (2), Greylag Goose (c.20), Coot (at least 100), Mallard (at least 100), Mediterranean Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Black-headed Gull (at least 50), Bearded Tit (1 female seen plus at least 2 other birds heard calling), Reed Bunting (2 singing males heard), Reed Warbler (at least 3 singing males heard), Swift (1 flew over), Chiffchaff (1 singing male seen plus another singing male heard), Blackcap (1 singing male), Common Whitethroat (1 singing male seen plus 2 other singing males heard)
In addition, I recorded the following butterflies and dragonflies and damselflies: Marbled White (at least 35), skipper species (Large Skipper and/or Small Skipper) (at least 15), Meadow Brown (at least 15), Common Blue (1), Ringlet (3), Peacock (1), Comma (1), Gatekeeper (1), Small White (3), darter species (Common Darter and/or Ruddy Darter) (3 males and 2 females), "blue" damselfly species (1)
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