The first trickle

The movement  of waders returning from their breeding grounds has begun in the West Midlands. The first trickle of birds has been noted at the usual wetlands sites. Black tailed Godwits, Sanderling, Turnstone, Wood Sandpipers, Knot and Greenshank among the early returners. Hopefully water levels will allow plenty of gravel and mud to be exposed when the main wader passage occurs so that a good variety of shorebirds including a few 'yanks' will be 'available' to West Midlands birders. After such a poor  late summer/autumn last year the signs are good with Wood Sandpiper and Turnstone seen at Brandon Marsh in the last few days.