As mentioned in a few previous posts, I've been surveying an area of industrial wasteland / brownfield by the dockside on the northern bank of the Humber, most recently for breeding birds. It's been very productive, with highlights including Black Redstart on territory, two Little Ringed Plover nest sites, breeding Cuckoo, and lots of warblers (especially Sedge, Reed and Whitethroat).
For this week's visit, it was largely a case of consolidation - finding birds at active nest sites, feeding young etc. - but as always, there were bonuses. A pair of Shelduck with no fewer than ten very small young - heading perilously along the riverside - were another pleasing breeding record; a small flock of waders consisting of four Dunlins and three Sanderlings dropped in soon after, and as an extra bonus, one of the Dunlins was colour-ringed, seemingly from a project in mid-Wales.
Further bonuses were provided by the many orchids splashing colour across the grassland: plenty of Bee Orchids, and also many Marsh Orchids - interestingly, there are Northern, Southern and (many) hybrids at this site (thanks Bill); three Eider way out on the river were a site tick (thanks Will). An amazing array of birds and wildlife for such a site at such a time of year.
