It was worth a look.

As always at this time of the year, the enthusiasm to get out with the camera wanes, especially when it's hot, and also after spending a week in Catalonia with a host of wildlife, some of it just a few metres from my camera lens, it leaves trips out to the likes of Stodmarsh a little underwhelming. Anyway, I decided to take a look down at Grove Ferry end of the Stodmarsh reserve, just taking in the Feast hide for an hour. I was the only one in there, which mean't that there was an obvious lack of Kingfisher activity (it would have been packed otherwise) although the perches are at this moment in time, completely hidden by the growing reeds. There is now a nice bit of mud showing (the old Island) as a result in the dropping water levels which mean't that there was somewhere for returning waders to feed. Sure enough, I counted 11 Green Sandpiper's and a patch year tick in the shape of a Little Ringed Plover. Hopefully the coming weeks will attract a few more waders and even maybe a passing rarity. Getting images proved a little difficult with the distance and having to wait until the wind blew the reeds to either side and catching the Plover with it's head up at the same time but a couple of record images were obtained.

Little Ringed Plover

Green Sandpiper

A few other bits seen from the hide during my stay

Gadwall

Common Tern

Marsh Harrier (A nice looking bird)

Grey Heron

Nothing out of the ordinary and par for the course for this time of the year but as the post title says, "It was worth a look" just for the patch year tick alone.