Black-winged Stilts - MMWWT, Lancs - 27th May 2006.

I finally went to see the breeding Black-winged Stilts at Martin Mere WWT, and i'm glad i did. Super birds. During the 1.5hrs watching them, the pair changed incubation duties twice, with the male chasing Avocets and Black-headed Gulls away from the nest area.

One of the Stilt wardens told me that they are being watched around the clock. The other night, a Fox suddenly appeared in the wardens night vision scope, actually on the small island where the nest is! The Warden sucessfully 'lamped' the fox using a flashlight and fortunately the Fox went away.

Lets hope for the best. The projected hatching date is approx 9th June, I think i recall the wardens saying.

Avocets with young, 12 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 2 Whooper Swan were also seen from the Ron Barker hide.