Lade

Lade Pits - 0530hrs - cool, sunny, w4 - Having neglected the local patch this week thought I`d continue with my breeding bird survey before the rain set in. The brisk westerly ensured most birds were around the willows where the margins were alive with juv Moorhens, Coots and grebes. Plenty of Cuckoo activity at the main reedbed with a female noted flying away with an egg (probably a Reed Warblers). On north pit the first juv Black-headed Gull (probably from Rye) of the season hawking insects like an old pro; also single Common Tern and Little Gull. On south pit c500 Pochards, Gadwalls, Tufted Ducks and Coots. Must`ve seen at least half a dozen foxes including 3 well grown cubs basking in the sunshine in front of the 200` `mirror`, plus one with a young Moorhen. The willow islands had 3 Little Egrets with a sleeping fox nearby. Marsh Harriers and Kestrels hunting over the back. In all 54 species noted and despite the recent cool weather and rain plenty of warbler chicks on the wing.

Fox and Little Egret, Lade