First Cuckoo - Gipping Valley Pits - 27/4/2017

A chance to look for new Spring migrants today at one of my local patches. Best of the birds was a CUCKOO calling at Alderson Lake, although I didn't get a chance to spot it. Also present was a pair of LITTLE RINGED PLOVER further down the river at Pipp's Ford, with one late GREEN SANDPIPER.

Working quarry at Pipp's Ford

 



Other than that, wildfowl were present in small numbers, the usual resident species, with 8 SWANS at Pipp's Ford, Pair nesting Riverside Farm Pit, and further pairs at Needham Lake and Alderson Lake. Also around were 3 GADWALL at Pipp's Ford and a pair of TUFTED DUCK at Alderson Lake. A LAPWING was on territory at Pipp's Ford, chasing away the CROWS, so it seems there is probably a female nesting nearby.
SAND MARTIN were busy excavating new nesting sites in the sand quarry at Pipp's Ford, in the ever changing landscape, amongst the diggers and the lorries.
Other than that not much else about. Migration is in full flow, but away from the big sites, its quite hard to tell.