The Green Sandpiper has been visiting the new pond over the past few days but had been rather reluctant to being photographed (until today). The pond is still being filled with water, but it seems that does not matter to the Piper who seems to like open dirt and mud banks rather than grassy margins. The Green Sandpiper unlike other waders and shorebirds, unusually nests in trees! - It uses old nests from other birds (crow, Thrush etc.). It is a very rare breeding bird in the UK with just two or three known nesting pairs identified in Scotland.
The Kestrels had raised 1 chick in the barn Owl box; when I came home from work today, the bird was up on the next box entrance platform and quite happy to introduce itself.
