Brass Garganeys

Good Friday went for a 7:00 am walk around Leighton Moss. Temperature about 1 degree above freezing so a freezing experience. Plenty of willow warblers reed warblers and sedge warblers in song on the paths and a pair of reed buntings displaying on the path to grisedale hide. Eventually found the pair of Garganeys but both had thur heads tucked down showing no signs of wanting to dace the frosty morning. Garganeys are ducks which are scarce summer visitors to the uk from Southern Africa. Spring is the best time to see them before they hide away in the thick reed beds to nest.

Over at the Eric Morecambe complex on the marsh I counted 58 avocets, some already on nests. There were at least 300 black-tailed godwits in summer plumage and a splendid drake pintail to round off the morning. Home to warm up with tea and hot buttered crumpets!