Greenshanks

Lade - 0530hrs - coolish, cloudy, ne 3, warm later - The brisk north-easterly ensured that moth numbers were down in the garden trap. Over the pits the Black-necked Grebe was still present amongst the hundreds of wildfowl, while a 1st summer Little Gull was on the island at the south end. The first of several Greenshanks flew over heading south and at least 50 Sand Martins were hawking insects over the water.
ARC - 1200hrs - Another Greenshank from Hanson hide plus two Common Sandpipers, Redshank and Snipe on the shingle ridges. All the usual wildfowl and hundreds of Sand Martins over the lake.
Lade - Several more Greenshanks over calling this afternoon, plus two Whimbrels. Checked out the northern end of Kerton Road Pit where two Common Sandpipers and yet another Greenshank, or maybe one from earlier that had dropped in. Three broods of Tufted Ducks of note as well as two pairs of Oystercatchers with well grown young.
ARC - 1830hrs - From Screen hide a single Garganey was amongst the dabbling ducks, plus two Common Sandpipers, two Snipe and a Greenshank, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel.
Lydd Allotment - Whilst watering the plants this evening I watched a male Sparrowhawk take a House Martin in mid-flight from the colony adjacent to the gardens. The hawk has a nest nearby and 10 minutes later he was back again having a second go at the martins, most of whom rocketed skywards. I regularly see this Sparrowhawk bringing in prey, but it is the first time I`ve seen it connect with a House Martin, which I presume was an opportunistic one off attack on an inexperienced juvenile, or maybe not...