Ruff Evening at Holywell

13^th Aug.  Our arrival at the public hide at Holywell Pond almost coincided with the arrival of three juvenile Ruff which flew in from the north to join the lone Dunlin already feeding at the edge of the pond.  The plumage of the Ruff was fresh and immaculate.  Apart from a few Curlew, small numbers of gulls and the usual waterfowl things were otherwise quiet.  A number of Little Grebe were showing along with Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck and a number of Grey Herons.  A Water Rail made a short appearance on the edge of the reeds to the right of the hide behind the wooden fence and a couple of Stock Doves flew in as did Linnets.  We spoke to BD before making off towards the fields where in truth we saw and heard very little although Yellowhammers were singing.

The light seemed to go early tonight and by the time we had completed our circular walk and returned to the hide the Ruff were not showing nearly as well in the dim light.  A flock of Lapwing had flown in by now as well as more Curlews which we had heard calling throughout the evening, and the odd Lesser Black-backed Gull.  We’d enjoyed a chat with a couple of passers by taking an interest in the birds.  One of them said he had been watching three juvenile Ruff with a single Dunlin at Arcot this afternoon, so we guessed that they would very likely have been the birds were had been watching.  Mammals had come in the form of another Fox, a very large Brown Rat and lots of Rabbits.