Avocets at Blue House Farm

11th March 2020

This time a visit to Blue House Farm on the north bank of the River Crouch by North Fambridge to see how the Avocets are getting on with their nesting preparations. Spring was definitely in the air with a number of Meadow Pipits giving their wonderful song flight before parachuting down to their favourite post.

Sky Larks were also in full song and luckily were feeding in front of one of the hides.

It was a nice surprise today to find 24 Barnacle Geese amongst the flock of Greylags and Canadas grazing alongside the path.. I have seen them here before, but don't know whether they are resident or part of a feral flock further up the coast.

Now into the first hide to see how the Avocets are getting on on the island right in front of the hide. As is the case in many other places the water levels were the highest I have ever seen here which was fine for the Shovelers, but not so good for the Avocets.

Because of the levels the Avocets were spending most of their time swimming. Most waders will swim if they have to, but Avocets seem to do it by choice and will even roost bobbing around on the water in estuaries rather than finding some high ground.

The nesting island was above water but only just, and nesting just yet would be high risk should there be any more rain. Still the pair kept on visiting it to see if the water had subsided, and even preparing the nest scrape for when the conditions improved.

Lets wish them luck.