Wednesday, July 05, 2006

sEnTiNeL Of tHe MaRsH

Yesterday l was heading back from the supermarket when l heard a great commotion- teenagers being chased by mad flutterings overhead and a hysterical volley of harsh, piping alarm sounds. It was quite obvious that the boys were too close to the nest and the birds were warning them off.
A stunning pair of Redshanks and what a display! Redshanks normally breed from the middle of April onwards, nesting amongst the grass in shallow lined hollows. This pair were nesting in a muddy old field behind a 6ft wall- the space that used to house the gas supplies but months back had been cleared for some development.
Redshanks feed on all sorts of small fish and frogs, a certain amount of seeds, buds and berries. If l head out that way again within the next few days l am going to take my camera.

2 comments:

TJ said...

Cool...loved the "live" sounds!!!
:-D

Hawkeye The Noo said...

Horizon, are you sure they are redshanks, I am sure they are oyster catchers. They are reallllly noisy buggers and although pretty are so anoying. There is one large male who follows me and the dogs. I have a stalker with red legs help!!!