Around the Temple of Mammon

Did an Atlas tetrad around the Metro Centre early Sunday morning and its amazing what a rich habitat surrounds this edifice to greed. When the car parks are empty and there are no shoppers it's a pleasure so if you're stuck there with the other half you could always sneak off........for Ringed Plover and young just 100m from Marks and Spencer.

Beats me how they have survived with two young given the number of gulls and corvids around. When I did the first visit Plovers , Oystercatchers and Lapwing were all in the air driving off Jackdaws and Magpies. Ideally camouflaged site though unlike the Herring and Lesser Black backs on Vickers over the river out on the open roof with fluffy young just becoming visible.

Or try down on the Derwent where I had an interesting chat with George S whilst a female Mallard with eight new young paddled upstream. Went back for the photo later but the birds were hiding from a gull under the bridges hence no light and duff picture. Grey and Pied Wagtail put in an appearance with the usual Mute Swans wanting some feed.

Meanwhile nearer Costco the Lapwings were behaving like they had young but non were showing. Blackcap, Chiff chaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Greenfinch and Song Thrush were all in good voice though and expect some broods of Shelduck to emerge shortly.

Also found Bullfinches aplenty around the southern car parks, a House Sparrow colony in the storage area between Staples and Asda and way too many Pigeons for comfort. Thats the problem with steel bridges, perfect nest sites for the flying rat or am I being unkind.