Bolton Ings et al - 16th June

My normal Sunday routine was changed this morning at 06.40 with a text from Dave "Gannet on Mere", 40 minutes later I was in the mere hide watching it. Mainly sat on the water being mobbed by hundreds of Black heads but did have a fly round a couple of times. Fantastic sighting, cheers for the text Dave. After a coffee I ventured onto Bolton, main highlight being a pair of Garganey, the first in the area this year. They were in the far eastern corner of the eastern pond and therefore couldnt be seen from the hide. Other highlights today were at least 7 broods of Pochard now, 5 on the east pond and 2 on the west pond. The first brood of Gadwall and I finally managed to see an Oystercatcher chick which was fully grown and could fly. I couldnt see the third pair of Oystercatchers so they have probably failed and only 1 Lapwing seen and no Redshank so looks like they have failed as well. There have been about 20 pairs of Black Headed Gulls nesting on an island on the western pond but today they had all gone, looks like a predator has got onto the island and wiped them out.Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 4 adults + broods of 4 & 2, Canada Goose 35 + 27y, Grey Lag Goose 14 + 18y, Cormorant 6, Great Crested Grebe 4, Little Grebe 24 + broods of 2,1,1 & 1, Mallard 31 + brood of 2, Gadwall 7 + brood of 6, Garganey pair, Tufted Duck 94, Pochard 16 drakes + broods of 9,6,6,6,5,4+ & 1, Coot 70 + 27 pairs + 61 chicks, Moorhen 7 + broods of 2 & 1, Lapwing 1, Oystercatcher 4 + 1y, Black Headed Gull 430, LBB Gull 1, Common Tern 3, Swift c100, House Martin c30, Sand Martin 4, Green Woodpecker 1, Barn Owl 1, Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 8, Blackcap 5, Whitethroat 4, Lesser Whitethroat 2.

After Bolton went back onto Old Moor, as previously posted the Gannet was still present and looked a bit sorry for itself, hope it survives. A few migrants with 4 Black Tailed Godwits on the Main Marsh and a Dunlin on the Wader Scrape along with 14 Teal (2 females). All the 4 Mediterranean Gulls were present as was the summering Common Gull and also 12 Common Terns. 2 Little Ringed Plovers were seen and there are now 5 broods of Avocets. Finally 4 Bitterns were seen today, the female plus 3 juveniles. A great day considering its the middle of June.