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As I arrived for my Pursuit PIt 'focus' visit this morning an immature little gull was out over the lake. After it headed east the 2 other imm little gull rose from the reeds and rode thermals until they became 'tiny gulls' via 'very little' gulls. With a backdrop of a cloud the shape of the British Isles I jumped at the assumption that this was a sign that these birds were on the move, the scene was almost from a page of the BTO's Migration Atlas. However, they did return to the reed stump that has been home since I first saw them on Tuesday morning.
A summer plumaged black tailed godwit was also resting amongst the stumps but most dramatic was the emergence of avocet young. A brood of 4 left the safety of the reed cover and headed across the lake. Both parents followed, constantly calling. The lake may have well been the Atlantic Ocean as these tiny adventurers made their pilgrimage. As herons and other deadly neighbours passed overhead the parents gave aerial cover, using noise and plumage to great affect. I dare not look as history suggested that these little sailors would meet a dreadful end fairly soon.
After navigating the 'big blue' they landed amongst some fringe reed stumps that held another brood of avocet. They mingled, parents squabbling and yongsters mixing before the original brood headed off once more across the Ocean. They were joined by the 'other' brood and within minutes the foster children were being tortured, grabbed by the throat and thrown around. My eyes widended........thankfully after an adult fight the 2 broods returned to their own parents to continue their periolous plight for survivial.
Before I left a little egret passed west, I also saw a couple of buzzard high over the Wolds.
A grasshopper warbler was reeling away on the foreshore, a male marsh harrier hunted the Reedbeds, a male bearded tit was around Ness Pit and there was 2 bittern.
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