Peak Number of Adults seen :- 71
Total Number of Nesting Pairs :- 30
Nests Predated/Abandoned :- 5
Chicks Hatched :- 73
Chicks Surviving :-30
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I will endeavor to provide the same service next year!

24th June:- The Chicks are steadily Fledging and leaving The Flood! It is impossible to follow them so I am ending this exercise. The Avocets all arrived at about the same time this year (In contrast to 2012 when there there were Two distinct dates), hence the earlier close down!

23rd June:- Rain. The cold Blustery winds, (The Chicks were mostly sheltering in The Banks so counting was impossible)!

22nd June:- Rain. Rain. Rain.

21st June:- Thirty Avocets on The Flood. Thirty Chicks seen.

20th June:- Twenty Six Avocets on The Flood plus Ten Avocets on The EM Pool. A total of Thirty Chicks! There were Two Chicks on The EM Pool with Ten Adults, all Twelve birds then Flew (The Chicks and an Adult returning staight away)!

19th June:- Twenty One Avocets on The Flood plus Thirteen Avocets on The EM Pool. Had a better view today which revealed Twenty Eight Chicks on The Flood plus Two Chicks on The EM Pool. The Two Chicks on The EM Pool had obviously Fledged!

18th June:- Thirty Four Avocets on The Flood plus Two Avocets on The EM Pool. At least Thirty Chicks seen, it is getting more difficult to sort the Adults from The Chicks from a distance!

17th June:- Thirty Seven Avocets on The Flood plus Two Avocets on The EM Pool. There has been an input of non breeding Birds on The Flood! Thirty Chicks found on The Flood, (The Lone Chick on The Allen Pool was not found).

16th June:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

15th June:- The same as The 14th June!

14th June:- Twelve Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool. A much better result today, why? (Answer, No Cows)! Chicks seen (25 Flood) (1 Allen Pool) A total of Twenty Six Chicks! The Adult numbers on The EM Pool vary during the day, (I think most of them are feeding/roosting elsewhere).

13th June:- I was wrong, The Cows are back so obviously the Electric Fence is still earthed! Nine Avocets on The Flood plus Seventeen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Twenty Chicks seen!

12th June:- Well The Cows have gone and the fence repaired! Nine Avocets on The Flood plus Twelve Avocets on The EM Pool plus Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Four EM Chicks were not found but there is still One Chick on The Allen Pool. Very Difficult viewing conditions but I estimated there were Twenty Eight Chicks on The Flood (this makes a total seen of Twenty Nine)! Cows on The Flood and EM Pools plus Humans driving them back to The Saltmarsh has of course been a major upset for The Avocets and Chicks!

11th June:- Twenty One Avocets on The Flood plus Five Avocets on The EM Pool plus Four Avocets on The Allen Pool. Again Thirty Three Chicks seen (28 Flood) (4 EM Pool)(1 Allen). But (The Cows have got Through The Electric Fence to The Flood). It may be difficult to find The Chicks tomorrow!

10th June:- Eleven Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Four Avocets on The Allen Pool. Again a total of Thirty Three Chicks (A single well grown Chick on The Allen Pool).

9th June:- Ten Avocets on The Flood plus Ten Avocets on The EM Pool plus Six Avocets on The Allen Pool. Again a total of Thirty Three Chicks.

8th June:- Twenty Three Avocets on The Flood plus Ten Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twelve Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Thirty Three Chicks found.

7th June:- Twenty Avocets on The Flood plus Nineteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Twenty Nine Chicks found, (All but Four of which were on The Flood).

6th June:- Twenty Two Avocets on The Flood plus Eighteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool. THe EM Pool is nearly dry and most of The Chicks have been moved to The Flood (Or are in transit). Twenty Nine Chicks seen. Only One Chick (yesterday Eleven) found on The Allen Pool and another nest has been Predated/Abandoned!!!

5th June :- Twelve Avocets on The Flood plus Thirty Two Avocets on The EM Pool plus Seventeen Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Forty One Chicks seen. Two more Nests have live young (3+2) The family with Two Chicks still have Two more Eggs to hatch? I saw Two Chicks on The EM Pool that looked 'almost like adults'!

4th June:- Six Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Nine Avocets on The EM pool plus Twenty Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Forty Chicks seen ( there seems to have been a loss on The Allen Pool since yesterday)! The EM Pool Nest has been abandoned!

3rd June:- Four Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Nine Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Forty Six Chicks seen. Three of the visible Nests have Hatched since my last visit. I can now see Four Nests with sitting birds, one of which is on The EM Pool (this pool is rapidly drying up due to the warm weather)!

2nd June:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

1st June:- Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Nine Avocets on The EM Pool plus Eighteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Forty One Chicks seen. Seven new Chicks seen on The Allen Pool (Four of which were from Nests that are not visible from The Hides! The Abandoned Nest from yesterday did have Three Chicks.

31st May:- Seven Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Chick Count was the same as Yesterday, however there is an Abandoned/Predated Nest on The Allen Pool. There may be Chicks at large from this Nest but I can't find them!

30th May:- Nine Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Five Avocets on The EM Pool plus Seventeen Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Thirty Four Chicks seen. No new Nests Hatching young today!

29th May:- Five Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. Only Thirty Four Chicks in total seen today. At least Six more Nests to Hatch Young! The new Nest on The Flood has been abandoned (Probably stood on by a Cow)! [It was outside The Electric Fence]!

28th May:- Seven Avocets on The Flood plus Eleven Avocets on The EM Pool plus Fifteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. A Total of Forty Two Chicks seen! There are now Four families on The Flood, with a total of Thirteen Chicks. The Majority of The Chicks are on The EM Pool.

27th May:- Eleven Avocets on The Flood plus Fourteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Three Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Thirty Seven Chicks Seen (this includes Eight newly hatched Chicks seen today) There maybe more Eggs to hatch in these Nests!

26th May:- A day away in Ribblesdale.

25th May:- Fifteen Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Thirty Four Chicks seen. A new Nest discovered on The Flood and another on The Allen Pool.

24th May:- Ten Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty Avocets on The EM Pool plus Eighteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Thirty Five Chicks seen. There is now another family of Four Chicks on The Flood (now 4+2+2 chicks). The Nest yesterday with One Chick has now been confirmed with Three!

23rd May:- Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Fifteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Eight Avocets on The Allen Pool. A total of Thirty Four Chicks seen. Another Nest with live young (I could only find One Chick). A family of Four Chicks have been reduced to One! No Avocets found on The Saltmarsh today (however they are very difficult to find in The Gulleys)!

22nd May:- Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Four Avocets on The Saltmarsh plus Fourteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Eight Avocets on the Allen Pool. Two families found on The Saltmarsh. A total of Thirty Seven Chicks found today (No new nests with live young) I think there must be at least one other family to find!

21st May:- Nine Avocets on The Flood plus Twelve Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Six Avocets on The Allen Pool. A Total of Twenty Eight Chicks! There are also Three families missing from The Allen Pool (The Flood and EM Totals are the same).

20th May:- Seven Avocets on The Flood plus Eighteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Eight Avocets on The Allen Pool. I counted a Total of Forty Five Chicks today! I can see there are Seven more Nests to Hatch young!

19th May:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

18th May:- Rain. The Flood and EM Pool impossible due to The Rain! Allen Pool Twenty Three Avocets. Twenty Chicks found which is Three less than yesterday (Three Chicks were swum to the EM Pool). No new Nests with live Chicks found!

17th May:- early am, Six Avocets on The Flood plus Twelve Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Five Avocets on The Allen Pool. I counted a total of Thirty Seven Chicks today. By the afternoon another family of Three Chicks were being transferred to The EM Pool.

16th May:- Five Avocets on The Flood plus Twenty One Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Five Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Chick count is now The Flood 4, EM Pool 10, Allen Pool 16. There are two more Nests with live young on The Allen Pool (1+4). The single chick from yesterday has been swum away from The Island and One 'very' small Chick is visable at a new site!

15th May:- I have now found all the Chicks that have left The Allen Pool today! There is however One Family of Three Chicks that have been swum away from their birth Island on The Allen Pool! Two more Nests with live young today (2+1 Chicks) There will probably be more Hatchlings in these Nests.

14th May:- Early, One Avocet on The Flood plus Fourteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. Another Nest has Live young (4). Two Families have moved to the rear of The Allen Pool (4+3 Chicks). On further investigation I have found a family with Two Chicks on The Flood plus another with Three Chicks on a small pool on the Saltmarsh! However, another family with Three Chicks has not as yet been found.

13th May:- Early Morning, Twenty Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. Two more Nest with live young found! Afternoon Visit. The new nests found had 4+3 Chicks, there was also an extra Chick found in one of yesterdays newly hatched Nests! Unfortunately While I was away The Crows took Three newly hatched Chicks from a Nest! The Numbers above have been adjusted. Viewing The Flood and the adjacent EM Pool is not really possible at the moment because of the high very Blustery Winds!!!

12th May:- 7.30 to 9.30am, Eighteen Avocets on the EM Pool plus Thirty Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Two Families (2+3 Chicks) are still on The EM Pool. The Three Chicks on The Allen Pool have swum to the Bund ajacent to The EM Pool. I have found Two more Nests with live young (3+3 Chicks). [These seem to be newly hatched]

11th May:- 7.20am, Twenty Three Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Two Families of Avocets that were at the edge of The Allen Pool (3+2 Chicks) have been walked to The EM Pool. The third hatched brood were still being brooded near their Nest Site. If the Rain and Gale force Winds ever cease I may find more Chicks!

10th May:- Very Early, Eleven Avocets on The EM Pool plus Forty Nine Avocets on The Allen Pool. Since my last visit the Chicks that hatched yesterday have been swum to the edge of the Pool (Where there is Mud to feed on). Another Nest has Hatched Three live Chicks Today. There should be more Chicks Hatching very shortly

9th May:- Twenty Avocets on The EM Pool plus Forty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Two Nests now have young At total of Six, One with mobile chicks (but spending much of the time being brooded by an adult). The other nest has younger chicks that have not left the Nest as yet!

8th May:- 2pm, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Four Avocets on The EM Pool plus Forty Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. No Chicks seen, however Report from JW "Avocets First young hatched today (3) and one further nest chipping". This refers to the 7th of May!

5th May:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

4th May:- Still no Car but travelled by Bus, Forty Six Avocets on The Allen Pool plus Ten Avocets on The EM Pool. Nesting Pair situation as yesterday!

3rd May:- Still no Car but travelled by Bus, Forty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Still Twenty One Nesting Pairs. I am unable to do a more complete count without transport, and more importantly A Telescope! Hopefully I may become more mobile on the 7th or 8th of this month.

2nd May:- Still no Car but travelled by Bus, Fifty Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool plus One Avocet on The EM Pool. Now Twenty One Nesting Pairs. Black Headed Gulls are now Nesting between the Avocets Nests on one Island!

28th,29th,30th April plus 1st May:- No Car!

27th April:- Ten Avocets on The Flood plus Twelve Avocets on The EM Pool plus Forty One Avocets on The Allen Pool.

26th April:- Six Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Fifty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Total birds below as counted by LM Staff is probably the Peak count for this season!

25th April:- Rain.3pm After The Rain, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Thirteen Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Three Avocets on The Allen Pool. There are more Nesting Pairs not yet Confirmed! During a Co-ordinated watch by LM Staff Seventy One Avocets were counted!

24th April:- 1.30pm, After The Rain , Four Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Fifty Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Nesting situation seems stable.

23rd April:- 9am, Five Avocets on The Flood plus Five Avocets on The EM Pool plus Sixty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. Yet another record count today. (71) One Nest Abandoned (Probably due to the attention of Crows).

22nd April:- 9am, Six Avocets on The Flood plus Five Avocets on The EM Pool plus Fifty Six Avocets on The Allen Pool. Very windy blustery conditions. Yet another Full House (67). Fourteen Nesting Pairs.

21st April:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

20th April:- 10am, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Twelve Avocets on The EM Pool plus Forty Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool. Another record count today (67), Two pair look like they are going to breed on other Islands [Overcrowding]?

19th April:- 9am, Four Avocets on The Flood plus Ten Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool. Now at least Twelve Nesting Pairs.

18th April:- Gale Force Winds, then at 10am, Sixty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Nine Nesting Pairs, more to be confirmed!

17th April:- Rain. Thirty Three Avocets On The Allen Pool. There are now at least Five Nesting Pairs. Another Three minimum on another Island (these will need more scrutiny to confirm)! A total of Three O. I. N visible [see 12th April].

16th April:- A day away in Kings Town! However While I was away Fifty Five Avocets were seen!

15th April:- 9am, Two Avocets on The Flood plus Two Avocets on The EM Pool plus Forty Five Avocets on The Allen Pool. The Nesting Pair situation is the same as yesterday.

14th April:- 8.30am, Forty Seven Avocets on The Allen Pool. Four Nesting Pairs.

13th April:- 9am, Three Avocets on The Flood plus Three Avocets on The EM pool plus Forty Six Avocets on The Allen Pool. Another Full House (52 Avocets)

12th April:- 8am, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Four Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Four on The Allen Pool. One Pair may have Ovoid objects of an Interesting Nature judging by their behaviour! At least Nine Pairs on The Allen Pool that don't seem interested as yet in Breeding!

11th April:- 7.30am, Six Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Five Avocets on The Allen Pool.

10th April:- 8.30am, Six Avocets on The Flood plus Five Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Five Avocets on The Allen Pool. There seems to be more pre Nesting behaviour now but no pairs are confirmed as sitting! A least Two of the 'likely' nests are not fully visible from either EM or Allen Hides!

9th April:- 11am, Two Avocets on The Flood plus Fifty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Yet more Newcomers have arrived!

8th April:- 9.30am, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Four Avocets on The Allen Pool. Another increase in the total Birds today!

7th April:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

6th April:- 11am, Fourteen Avocets on The Flood plus Three Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Noticeably much more warmth in The Sun today.

5th April:- 8.30am, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Eleven Avocets on The EM Pool plus Seventeen Avocets on The Allen Pool. I was told there were many more Avocets on The Flood earlier (there is still much movement between The Pools)! The new fence beside the track to the Allen Pool Car Park was erected by The Leighton Hall Estate!

4th April:- 9am, Twelve Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Nineteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. Yet another Cold day, no sign of the warmer weather as yet.

3rd April:- 8.30am, Ten Avocets on The Flood plus Ten Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Six Avocets on The Allen Pool.

2nd April:- 8am, Four Avocets on The Flood plus Twelve Avocets on The EM Pool plus Nineteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. The numbers are staying fairly constant now, much making of Scrapes and Mating but no definite "Nesting" Pairs as yet!

1st April:- 9am, Six Avocets on The Flood plus Nine Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. Today for the first time for many day there was No Ice.

31st March:- 9.30am, Forty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Much making of Scrapes. An Osprey turned up at Leighton Moss in the afternoon!

30th March:- A day Away on The Westmorland Silurians.

29th March:- 10.30am, Four Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty Avocets on The Allen Pool. Several Avocets making scrapes on the Islands of The Allen Pool. I was told there were more Avocets present up till 7.30am when many birds flew away. (they didn't fly to The Flood ) [It was Frozen]!

28th March:- 10.30am, Thirty One Avocets on The Allen Pool. Unusual not to find any Avocets on The Other Pools.

27th March:- 8.30am, Eight Avocets on The Flood plus Eight Avocets on The EM Pool plus Eleven Avocets on The Allen Pool.

26th March:- 9am, Ten Avocets on The Flood plus Six Avocets on The EM Pool plus Ten Avocets on The Allen Pool. Veryy Flighty today!

25th March:- 9am, Ten Avocets on The Flood plus Two Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twenty Three Avocets on The Allen Pool. Then a White Stork arrived and all the Allen Pool birds flew away!

24th March:- 10am, Two Avocets on The EM Pool plus Thirty One on The Allen Pool. Earlier most of The Avocets were on The Flood! JW Reported Thirty Eight Avocets.

23rd March:- 11am, Thirty Two Avocets on The Allen Pool. They were not keen on flying to The Flood today. Probably because of the Bittingly Cold East Wind!

21st March:- 9.30am, Twenty Avocets on The Flood Plus Twelve Avocets on The Allen Pool. Again much coming and going between the Two Pools.

20th March:- 7.30am, Two Avocets on The Flood plus Five Avocets on The EM Pool plus Seventeen on The Allen Pool. Again like yesterday the Allen Pool birds flew to The Flood leaving a core of Twelve Birds.

19th March:- 8am, Two Avocets on The Flood plus Nineteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. At 8.30am there were Eleven Avocets on The Allen Pool (Eight Avocets had flown to The Flood). Two pair Have decided which Island to Nest on! Much Mating.

18th March:- 1.30pm, Two Avocets on The Flood plus Two Avocets on The EM Pool plus Twelve Avocets on The Allen Pool. Plenty of movement between The Pools so the total today is probably an underestimate!

17th March:- 9am, Thirteen Avocets on The Allen Pool, Six Pairs (There seems to be much coming and going at the moment). Sixty Two Avocets at Martin Mere (The numbers seem to be rising there)

16th March:- Rain. 12 midday, Four Avocets on The Flood plus Six on The Allen Pool. There appears to have been a mass Exodus! JW reported seeing Twenty Four yesterday.

15th March:- Rain. 1.30pm; High Tide; Six Avocets on The Flood plus Eleven on The Allen Pool. The wanderers have returned!

14th March:- 10am, Fifteen Avocets on The Allen Pool.

13th March:- 8am, Fifteen Avocets on The Allen Pool. By 9am they had all flown to The Flood! Seven Pairs!

12th March:- 9am, Seventeen Avocets on The Allen Pool. Only small areas of water unfrozen. A partial thaw in the afternoon allowed the birds to feed!

10th March:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

9th March:- 8am, One Avocet on The Flood Plus Eleven on The Allen Pool.

8th March:- 8.am, Nine Avocets on The Flood plus Three on The Allen Pool. By 1pm all Twelve Avocets were on The Flood.

7th March:- 10.30am, Thirteen Avocets on The Flood. 2pm, Still Thirteen Avocets on The Flood (The pairing seems to have happened). There are now definitely Five Pairs, possible Six.

6th March:- 8am, Twelve Avocets on The Flood. In a tight bunch One pair mating! Forty Five Avocets at Martin Mere (Things are livening up)!

5th March:- 8am, Ten Avocets on The Allen Pool. A lttle fighting going on (sorting out The Pairing).

4th March:- 12 Midday, The single Avocet from yesterday is still present and feeding. There are now Thirty Four Avocets at Martin Mere (Four pairs were seen mating).

3rd March:- 11.30am to 12pm; One Avocet on The EM Pool! I have yet to see an Avocet feeding at Leighton Moss this Year!!!

28th February:- No sightings today at Leighton Moss (several visits), however The Avocet numbers at Martn Mere are down to Fourteen! Not sure that this is significent (Frozen Pools)!

27th February:- I was told today by LM Staff that Three Avocets were reported at the EM Pool on the 23rd February! Perhaps they are Roosting/Feeding elswhere ( they were not visible when I was there).

26th February:- No Avocets at Leighton Moss. Favourable Winds/Weather will be needed before more Avocets Fly North!

24th February:- A day away with Lancaster Fellwalkers

23rd February:- No Avocets at the Eric Morecambe Pools but a maximum off Twenty Avocets at Martin Mere! They may be commuting between Martin Mere and Marshside???

22nd February:- No Avocets at the Eric Morecambe Pools but Twenty Two Avocets at Martin Mere! An Exodus North ???

21st February:- No Avocets at the Eric Morecambe Pools but Twenty Eight Avocets at Martin Mere! Perhaps winds from The South or South West may persuade some of the Martin Mere Avocets to move North! The Marshside Website is so out of date it is of little use.

20th February:- 7.30 till 8am. Excellent Visibility! No Avocets seen. It looks like they were probably birds of Passage.

19th February:- 8 till 9.30am No Avocets Found. The Electric Fence around the Allen Pool has been installed! 1 till 1.30pm, The Bright Sunshine and all day Mist make viewing very difficult (No Avocets found).

18th February:- Three Avocet seen early morning on EM/ Flood by Jonny Scragg. 1pm Unable to find Avocets, (Blinding Sunshine).

17th February:- 11.30am Two Avocets on The Eric Morecambe Pool! Seen by an other on the 16th in the same place, Will they stay???

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