At the moment it has two eggs, I expect four so it probably has just laid but the odds are stacked against it as I found badger and fox tracks nearby. The nest will rely on camoflage as it is in the open, the other dangers are humans accidentally trampling on it and the wretched mink,stoats , weasels and corvids that are everpresent. Last year the Ogden sandpipers hatched but I did not see the young birds. I suppose the fact the birds returned is a good sign so I remain optimistic.
They will need all the luck in the world with all the predators around Ogden, I have placed a note in the Fishermans Hut for them to be aware of the nest.
It looks like there will be just four eggs as I checked it today and all was well, the bird quietly leaves the nest on my approach and walks quite a distance before taking flight.
I have no idea how a bird who nests on the ground in the open with so many predators around manages to raise any chicks at all. They must be very very alert. I dont know about the other predators but it appears as if the Grane area is almost saturated with Crows.
I checked the nest yesterday and the bird was still sitting, it then slinked away to reveal four healthy chicks, one of which ran under a stone and the rest kept still in the nest. There is still a long way to go but it is going well for the time being.
The nest is now deserted, presumably the family is in hiding nearby and their chances of survival increase. They were at their most vulnerable while in the nest but now they can at least run and hide from the predators. I don't expect to see them again until they fledge and form a family group flying around the reservoir. Hopefully that will be during the next two weeks.
I have seen a group of four Common Sandpipers flying around the reservoir and also a seperate sighting of two, it was not possible to identify the birds as regards juv/adult but a worse case scenario is that two eggs made it and possibly all four.
The LSW has been seen again and I suspect it has nested in the plantation.
I'm starting to feel maternal!!!
