** Elmley NNR and Hedgehog Rescue.**

This afternoon Pam took me down to Elmley to see if I could catch up with a couple of species that I have been trying to see. I did visit last week but didn't stop because the wind was so strong I struggled to open the car door. I spent time in the Wellmarsh Hide. On my way to the hide I was greeted by the noisy squawking of the B/H/Gulls fighting over nesting sites. It was overcast for  a while then the sun came out and the birds came into their own. One of the species I wanted to see took me a while but when I did  see it, it was worth it. What I was looking for was a MEDITERRANEAN GULL , and at first I found 5 but by the time I left I had counted circa 25, that is the most I have ever seen. The other bird I was looking for was a Dabchick, I couldn't believe it has taken me this long to see one. There was a good number of Marsh Harriers on the wing, I saw more males than females. When Pam and I was leaving about half way down the track she stopped and said that there is a small hedgehog on the tarmac track. Not knowing if it was ok or not we took it to a rescue centre. My total species list is: Grey Heron. Little Egret. B/H/Gull. G/B/B/Gull. Mediterranean Gull. Marsh Harrier. Coot. Moorhen. Teal. Mallard. Gadwall. Tufted Duck. Pochard. Wigeon. Shelduck. Shoveller. Greylag Geese. Brent Geese. Canada Geese. Mute Swan. Cormorant. Dabchick. Pheasant. Redshank. Avocet. Oystercatcher. Lapwing. C/Crow. My "Bird of the Day" is the ** MEDITERRANEAN GULL **