Fingers crossed.

After several days of wondering when, the first Avocet chick was seen when the adults on the rear nest at Cresswell did an early morning change over on Tuesday 12/07/16. Great to see after last years annihilation of the 5 nests on the sand bar of this furthest northern breeding site in England. Following that wipe out it would have been understandable if no Avocets had of tried and it was looking like that for quite a while despite some potential residents. 

I've sat longer than usual in the hide on 3 or 4 occasions in the last week or so hoping to capture the first sighting of the young 'un and was more than happy to have managed it. A true record shot as the image is heavily cropped. Fingers crossed no foxes return like last year as Avocets are feisty birds and will see off most potential predators especially avian ones.

I'm pretty sure the adult in the photo was ringed as a juvenile at Cresswell Pond as one of the first youngsters that created the record i mentioned earlier but i am just waiting for confirmation. It would be nice to think so.