The water levels remain low on Edderthorpe Flash but the Wednesday/Thursday rains came just in time for Houghton Washland which was down to just two small pools of water on Tuesday and would have been dry by this coming weekend, but is now quite full again with no exposed mud edges.
The young Shelduck chick is close to fledging, the Shoveler brood from Houghton have relocated to Edderthorpe and there's another newer brood here too. Gadwall broods are at six and Mallard at 13, but disappointingly no Tufted broods yet - not really surprising with a Mink running riot on the river.
Waders have been the undoubted highlight with autumn passage already underway;
The family party of five Avocets moved from Houghton to Edderthorpe and were joined by another family party of five which bred and reared their three young at Adwick, further down the valley. Two more joined them on Wednesday and the flock was up to 13 by Thursday and Friday.
Oystercatchers peaked at seven on Sunday. Two fine male Ruff arrived on Tuesday staying to Friday at least. A Curlew is present most early mornings and seems to be roosting here.
Ringed Plovers peaked at 17 on Tuesday (8 juveniles) and Little Ringed Plovers on Wednesday when eight were present (3 juvs). Green Sandpipers up to three are usually on Houghton and the first returning Common Sandpiper was today. A maximum of five Redshank and the only Dunlin was on Wednesday as were the first returning Black-tailed Godwits when seven were present.
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