Thursday 4 June 2009 - Alvecote Pools SSSI - Record flock of 'Blackwits'. - 04/06/09

Thursday 4th June 2009

Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits at Alvecote Pools SSSI

Whilst I was at work this afternoon news was received regarding a flock of 15 Black-tailed Godwits at the patch.  I arrived on site at about 5.30pm not really expecting the birds to still be present due to the usual disturbance.  I was therefore chuffed to bits when I spotted a single bird feeding in the middle of Teal Pool.  As I creeped closer I could see that more birds were present and slowly but surely ten different birds were clocked-up. 

A flock of ten Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits at Teal Pool, Alvecote Pools, Warwickshire - June 2009

In an effort to get some 'digi-scoped' shots I slowly made my way down to the River Anker end of the pool where I would have the sun behind me.  Whilst there I could see another eight Black-tailed Godwits feeding around the beach on Upper Pool.  A flock of eighteen constitutes a Alvecote record so I was obviously very pleased indeed.

The three photographs above show the variation in Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit plumages at this time of year (top - male in breeding plumage, middle - female in breeding plumage & bottom - probable female in non-breeding plumage). 

Also on site were at least 24 Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Tern, Hobby and 2 Oystercatchers.  Bring on the next waders before the fishing season starts again!