Here’s a selection of birds seen earlier in the month at the new RSPB reserve at Saltholme .   The rather old satellite image shows the hides location. The wetland is now flooded, creating open water, reedbeds and mudflats.  To the rear of the hide is a feeding point to attract seed-eating birds.

As the season turns, so the birds visiting the centre change.  The Golden Plovers and Lapwings have all largely gone to their upland breeding sites. The ducks are beginning to migrate northwards but Wigeon are still seen on the lake in numbers.

Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Teals can also be seen

Teal (Anas crecca)

The Shoveller ducks are starting their courtship dance, which involves a pair going rounds and round and etc.

Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

These weren’t the only birds to behave in a broody way.  See the following chase…

He fails… so he flies off

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

More shots now of the resident Egrets (and an occasional Mallard pair)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)