Mikepércs: Descending Bird Activity

I got into the hide curiously again at dawn, hoping that the bird activity would continue in front of me.

However I'm waiting for the avocets in vain, they don't seem to come. In turn a fox appears in front of the opposite reedwall! There's not enough light for photography yet, and it disappears soon in the reed. Later a flock of ruffs are arriving, and it takes a while before a male comes close enough:

Ruff

Some males are courting already, unfortunately far from me. Soon a common sandpiper appears and passes quite close to the hide:

Common Sandpiper

Then a few stilts are walking in as well:

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt

A marsh sandpiper appears at the puddle nearby as well:

Marsh Sandpiper

Then the fox reappears, it's coming back on the same route. I take two expos when it turns to me, ...:

Red Fox

... and in the next moment it's disappeared in the reed. (It has good ears as it hasn't been close.) It seems to have had a bath too, as it was really wet.

So much for today, but before I leave I move my hide to the place where the ruffs have been active this morning hoping they will be there next time too.

Mikepércs: Quarreling AvocetsAnd Ruffs

At dawn I got into my hide at the pond with excitement. It was cloudy a bit, so the lights came later, but they didn't get so strong.
The avocets are still dominant at the pond, and there are less redshanks.
This bird is arranging its resting place:

Avocet

Soon a flock of ruffs are coming, but they are landing a bit far.
Quarrels are going on between the avocets:

Avocets

A quiet couple:

Avocets

Preponderance:

Avocets

A couple of little ringed plovers are nearby as well, they are either feeding or running after each other like some rolling balls.

Little Ringed Plover

Obviously the nesting is in avocets' mind. They are sitting among tussocks, placing small twigs around them and deepening the place under themselves with their legs:

Avocet

Avocet

The little sullen:

Little Ringed Plover

From time to time the male ruffs are chasing each other and hurtling:

Male Ruffs

Ruff (female)

Ruff (male)

Little Ringed Plover

A black-winged stilt is walking in with its funny long legs, ...:

Black-winged Stilt

... then it's shaking itself:

Black-winged Stilt

Another conflict:

Avocets

The male ruffs are getting more and more often in front of the hide:

Ruff (male)

Ruff (male)

Ruff (male)

Avocet

Ruff

Ruff (male)

A white collared male:

Ruff (male)

Black-winged Stilt

Chasing:

Avocet

Avocet

Black-winged Stilt

Ruff (female)

Ruff (male)

Ruff (male)

Snoozing:

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Preening:

Little Ringed Plover

Avocet

Periodically a hooded crow flies above the pond. On these occasions the avocets are taking off and air defence begins. They are chasing the intruder, wich gives up quite hardly. I don't know why is it attacking, there are no eggs or hatchlings yet. Then I can see the crow chasing a young magpie as well which hides in the bushes nearby.
I'm very satisfied with today's results, this place is great.

Mikepércs: Avocets

Last time I moved my hide farther by about 20 meters where some green grass was growing, but the most important reason was that the birds are very active there, it appears to be the redshanks' beloved place.

Having clear sky I could take advantage of the beautiful lights of the first sunbeams.

At 6 o'clock the reedwall at the opposite side of the pond is getting enlighted by the sun:

Avocet

Avocet

After half an hour the background is getting golden yellow. An avocet is stretching its lev and wing just on the right place:

Avocet

It seems that only the avocets are moving here and there in front of my hide, they almost monopolize the place:

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Stretching:

Avocet

Avocet

From time to time a little chasing is taking place:

Avocet

Among the avocets, a black-winged stilt is also walking in:

Black-winged Stilt

Avocet

Having found an appropriate tussock, the avocets are settling next to it, fussing around a bit and evidently thinking of nesting:

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

The stilts are behaving similarly:

Black-winged Stilts

A couple:

Avocets

Arriving:

Avocet

I have missed the redshanks, now they arrive crying, the males chasing the females:

Redshank

Redshank

The resting time has come:

Avocet

The ruffs have been on the shallow water so far, but sometimes they start to appear in front of my hide as well. Sometimes the males are chasing each other:

Ruff (male)

Preening:

Avocet

The stilts are fighting quite a lot just like the avocets.
What you can see on this picture is not a bad landing, but just a part of a fight:

Black-winged Stilts

Kick-boxing:

Black-winged Stilts

I manage to record a mating too:

Black-winged Stilts

Black-winged Stilts

After the mating the male is almost embracing the female before nuzzling close to her passionately:

Black-winged Stilts

Black-winged Stilts

Black-winged Stilts

After a few seconds each bird is looking after its business.

Because of the strong lights I decide to leave, but I leave the hide with a lot of satisfaction.

Next time on the same place!