A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 24, 2018

The weather forecast for today wasn't good with rain expected around mid-morning and so I left early to try and get a few hours in before it arrived.  I didn’t see a great deal as I made my way to Eyebrook Reservoir and there was still no sign of the Little Owl in the old oak with my last sighting and only sighting this year being on January 24^th.  I stopped briefly at the bridge, but it was very quiet with just a single Blackcap being heard.  The water level had dropped slightly and there was a small area of mud at the inlet but there was no sign of any waders and so I moved further along where I found two Little Egrets on the Leicestershire bank and then saw two more in flight towards the island.  There were seven Common Terns over the water along with a few hirundine, mainly Sand Martin but also a few Barn Swallows and a single Common House Martin.  A Red Kite was observed towards the plantation but with nothing else I moved on to the Egleton car park at Rutland Water.

It was still dry when I arrived in the car park and I headed for the northern lagoons.  I stopped briefly at the feeding station where I saw a female Brambling before continuing along the path to the lagoons.  There wasn’t a great deal of song, but I did hear several Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap, a single Willow Warbler and my first Garden Warbler of the year but I was unable to locate it.  I met Stephen, who was coming back from the lagoons before he commenced his volunteer duties, who informed me that he had seen Common Ringed Plover and Dunlin on Lagoon Four. As I continued along the Winter Trail I saw a Red Kite to the northwest and on reaching the gate at the end of the Winter Trail I decided to head for Plover Hide on Lagoon Four.  I met Steve and Terry who were heading for Sandpiper Hide and after a brief chat I continued onto the hide, hearing a couple of Sedge Warbler and the Common Nightingale near Bittern Hide.

When I entered the hide three other birders were also present but two left almost immediately and I was able to view the lagoon from the left-hand side of the hide.  I soon found several Common Ringed Plover on the exposed rocky area, along with several Dunlin and eventually managed to count twenty-four Common Ringed Plover and eight Dunlin.  As I scanned around the lagoon a Black-tailed Godwit flew into the view of the scope and trying to follow it I lost it and couldn’t find it again.  There were seven Eurasian Oystercatcher and at least four Common Redshank on the lagoon and there was a male Western Osprey on one of the perches.  I then found a Common Sandpiper bathing near island three, which was then joined by a second.  There were eight Common Shelduck scattered around the lagoon, but I could just find a single pair of Eurasian Wigeon.

I eventually moved onto Shoveler Hide on Lagoon Three where there were four Common Pochard just in front of the hide, the second-summer Mediterranean Gull was still amongst the breeding Black-headed Gulls and there were six Common Terns over the water.  Steve had told me that Terry had seen a couple of Common Swift earlier but there was no sign but with plenty of hirundine visible over South Arm Three I moved onto Lapwing Hide.

There were sixteen Common Tern feeding over the arm but there was still no sign of any Common Swift and so I went back to Dunlin Hide on Lagoon Four hearing a Eurasian Reed Warbler as I did so.

From Dunlin Hide I only saw much of what I had seen from Plover Hide, although there were nineteen Common Terns resting on the end of the spit on island ten.  As it started to rain I decided to go to Sandpiper Hide, hearing a Lesser Whitethroat as I walked up the slope to the hide.  Again, I saw nothing new and eventually headed back to the centre in some light rain.  I managed to get a brief view of a Blackcap on the way back but there was still no sign of the Garden Warbler.

When I entered the centre Stephen had been watching a Common Sandpiper, but it had disappeared and all I saw before going for my lunch was a pair of Common Pochard.

After lunch I went back into the centre with Steve and Terry when there were two male and a female Common Pochard and a larger number of hirundine.  They were mainly Sand Martin but there was also good numbers of Barn Swallow and a few Common House Martin.  As I continued looking through them I picked up a single Common Swift that was quite distant but eventually we had eleven briefly over the lagoon.

Terry went off to the Wet Meadow and shortly afterwards I decided to go back to the northern lagoons.  I checked the feeders again and found a male and a female Brambling, with the male beginning to look rather smart although it was still someway off from being in full breeding plumage.

I had noticed that there was considerably more activity over South Arm Three than when I visited earlier and so I checked Lagoon Three from Shoveler Hide to see if there was any increased activity.  The Mediterranean Gull was still amongst the Black-headed Gulls but there was very little happening over the lagoon and so I moved onto Lapwing Hide to view Lagoon Three.

When I reached the hide, there was a fishing boat in the left-hand corner and most birds had moved but there were still two groups feeding over the water.  Most were Black-headed Gulls with just a few Common Terns scattered amongst them and nothing unusual.

The rain was now steady and so I went to Sandpiper Hide on Lagoon Four where there were still plenty of Common Ringed Plover and Dunlin and I managed to count eleven Dunlin, which was an increase on this morning.  Terry joined me in the hide and it wasn’t too long afterwards that Steve, who was in Dunlin Hide, called to say that there was a Little Ringed Plover on the end of island seven.  I scoped the end and found the bird feeding along the shoreline but as Terry was about to look it ran out of sight.  Fortunately, it soon returned and even raised its wings to reveal there was no wing-bar, making the identity easier.  Lloyd then joined us in the hide but other than seeing one of the Common Sandpipers again we didn’t have anything else new, although seeing a Red Kite in flight in heavy rain was a little unusual.

I eventually made my way back to the car park and with the rain still persistent and heavy I called it a day and headed off home.  Despite the weather it hadn’t been a bad day with seventy-eight species recorded, two of which, Common Swift and Garden Warbler were new for the year.

A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 21, 2018

Roger arrived at around 07:30 and after examining the moths caught last night we headed for David’s who then drove for the day.  We went straight to the Egleton car park at Rutland Water and we were optimistic in getting a few year-ticks.

After parking we walked towards the northern lagoons seeing a Lesser Whitethroat as we approached the end of the winter trail.  We continued along the path towards Plover Hide where we found Chris Hubbard and Chris Park trying to see a Common Nightingale, which was singing near Bittern Hide.  We saw a couple of Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap whilst trying to find the nightingale without success.

We eventually went up the ramp and into Plover Hide to view Lagoon Four.  As we scanned the lagoon we found four Eurasian Oystercatcher, three Pied Avocet, a Common Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and seven Common Redshank.  There was no sign of the Black-tailed Godwits that Chris had seen minutes before or the Turnstone, although he had seen that earlier form Sandpiper Hide.  A Western Osprey was on the man-made nest briefly and there were just four Common Shelduck, a single Northern Shoveler and a Eurasian Wigeon visible from the hide and we eventually decided to go to Shoveler Hide on Lagoon Three.

As we were walking down the ramp I suggested we should go into Bittern Hide to see if we could see a Eurasian Reed Warbler that had been heard earlier, but as we reached the bottom of the ramp a WhatsApp message from Chris Park said he had seen a Northern Fulmar from Lapwing Hide but that it had flown into the South Arm towards Manton Bay.

After a quick chat David convinced us that we should head for Lapwing Hide but Roger and I weren't very optimistic in catching up with the fulmar.  David who was in front of Roger and I alerted us there was a Eurasian Reed Warbler singing alongside the path but before we reached the spot another WhatsApp from Chris indicated that the fulmar was back on view and so we increased our pace and arrived in Lapwing Hide a few minutes later.  Chris Hubbard was also in the hide and they were watching the Northern Fulmar flying east along the Lyndon shoreline.  I eventually got on the bird but is was some distance away, but it gradually came towards the Old Hall and then towards us but passed over rather quickly, making it impossible to get a photo as we were looking into the sun.  We went out of the hide and watched the bird as it circled to the west and gradually gaining height before heading off towards the North Arm and disappearing.  It wasn’t seen again, and it was only my second ever recorded for the counties, the last being at Eyebrook Reservoir on the August 9^th ,1979.

We went back into the hide were there was a single drake Common Goldeneye and a Cetti's Warbler singing nearby.  A Whimbrel was them heard and seen as it flew by the hide only to be followed by two more a few minutes later.  I also saw a Western Barn Owl near the Lyndon Centre but failed to get anyone on it.

We headed back along the track and although the Eurasian Reed Warbler was singing well it kept out of sight amongst the reeds, but we did see another Sedge Warbler.  We dropped into Shoveler hide on Lagoon Three and found the second-summer Mediterranean Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls on it preferred island.  There were ten Common Pochard on the lagoon and a single Common Shelduck flew in before we moved to Sandpiper Hide on Lagoon Four.

David picked up another Whimbrel on the far group of exposed rocks and then he found the Ruddy Turnstone on the end of island nine.  Chris then pointed out a Little Ringed Plover on one of the islands and we then heard a Common Cuckoo and Chris and I picked it up as it flew north towards the fishponds.  We also had a Eurasian Sparrowhawk and six Common Buzzard over Burley Wood.

We then headed back to the centre seeing a Great Spotted Woodpecker as we did so.  Back in the centre we scanned Lagoon One and David indicated that he had a wader on the central area of the exposed island.  He said it would probably turnout to be just a Common Redshank but when I got it in the scope it clearly had too finer bill and wasn’t bulky enough and I suspected that it might be a Wood Sandpiper.  The light wasn’t helping as it was almost impossible to get any details with just a silhouette view most of the time, although I was sure I could see the spangling on the upperparts on a couple of occasions.  Chris Hubbard was also coming to the same conclusion that it was a Wood Sandpiper and when Chris Park arrived he agreed with the identification.

Great Spotted Woodpecker near the badger hide

After lunch went back to view Lagoon One where we found the Wood Sandpiper was still present, but shortly afterwards it flew off high to the north. David then picked up a first-summer Little Gull in South Arm Three.

Oystercatcher on Lagoon One

We then went back towards the northern lagoons and I suggested that we should go to Dunlin Hide as I suspected that Sandpiper Hide might be full.  David decided he would go to Sandpiper, whilst Roger and I went to Dunlin.  When we entered Dunlin Hide it was quite full, although we did manage to get seats and a few minutes later David appeared saying that Sandpiper was packed.  There wasn’t a great deal different on the lagoon although we did find two more Dunlin and a single Little Ringed Plover and Chris Hubbard re-found the Wood Sandpiper at the back of the lagoon, with Chris Park finding a Northern Raven over Burley Wood.   David then went back to Shoveler Hide on Lagoon Three, but Roger and I stayed but all I saw extra were a pair of Linnet.

I called David, who was now in Lapwing Hide, to let him know that Roger and I were on our way back to the centre and suggested we should perhaps call at Eyebrook Reservoir on route home.

We made another quick visit into the centre where there was now a Common Greenshank where we had seen the Wood Sandpiper earlier but nothing else and so we left for Eyebrook Reservoir.

I saw at least twenty Common Tern, which was a considerable increase on my last visit and we also heard Willow Warbler and Common Chiffchaff, along with additional Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat to those we had observed.

When we reached Eyebrook Reservoir it was quiet with just two Common Shelduck and eleven Common Terns of note and so we called it a day and headed off home.  I had recorded eighty-seven species during the day, three of which, Wood Sandpiper, Common Whitethroat and Nightingale, were year-ticks and Northern Fulmar and Ruddy Turnstone were new county year-ticks and moved my totals onto 186 and 151 respectively.

An early morning in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire - April 21, 2018

There were just thirteen moths trapped and identified last night with a fourteenth yet to be identified, covering eight species.  One, Pine beauty, was not only new for the year but also a lifer, which made putting the trap out worthwhile.

The following were recorded: Light Brown Apple Moth [1]; Double-striped Pug [1]; Early Thorn [1]; Early Grey [1]; Pine Beauty [1]; Common Quaker [4] and Hebrew Character [4].

Unidentified moth

Pine beauty

Early Grey

An early morning in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire - April 20, 2018

I put the moth trap out last night and caught and identified twenty-one moths covering nine species, three of which were new for the year.

The following were recorded: Amblyptilia acanthadactyla [1]; Emmelina monodactyla [1]; Light Brown Apple Moth [1]; Double-striped Pug [4]; Early Thorn [1]; Brindled Beauty [1]; Clouded Drab [1]; Common Quaker [1] and Hebrew Character  [3].

Double-striped Pug

Brindled beauty

A day in Suffolk and Norfolk - April 19, 2018

David, Malcolm, Roger and I had decided to have a day in the Brecks and Roger Picked David and I up and drove to Malcolm’s, who then took on the driving duties for the day.

Cavenham Heath was to be our first location and we arrived at around 08:20 having seen very little on route.  The sun was shining, and it was already feeling quite warm and two Grey Partridge got the day off to a good start.  There was a Mistle Thrush singing, which we then saw in one of the fields close to where we had parked.  As we walked along the footpath we scanned the heath and soon found two Eurasian Stone-curlew.  David then thought that he heard a Grasshopper Warbler and so we stopped for a while but there was no sign and it didn’t sing again.  As we moved two birds flew over, which we identified as Woodlark and they rather conveniently landed on some overhead wires before dropping onto the ground to feed.  They weren’t at all bothered about our presence or a couple of dogs that went by with their owner.  As the birds seemed at ease we fired off a couple of shots both on the wires and on the ground before leaving them still feeding.

Woodlark

Woodlark

Woodlark

As we moved further along the path we found three more Eurasian Stone-curlew and two Northern Wheatear before David found a male European Stonechat, which like the Woodlarks was quite obliging, although the light wasn’t as good.  I then picked up a Woodlark in flight some distance away and we then heard one calling and eventually found another two.  As we walked back along the track we found another male European Stonechat but hadn’t seen anything else by the time we got back to the car.

Male European Stonechat

Male European Stonechat

From Cavenham we headed for Lakenheath Fen and after parking and entering via the visitors centre we walked the short distance to the Washland viewpoint.  As we reached the viewpoint we could hear at least one Sedge Warbler and we began scanning the wash land for a Garganey.  There was a good selection of birds on the water that included Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Coot but there was no sign of the Garganey.  David then cried Common Tern but when I looked there was a tern over the Little Ouse that I thought was a Little Tern, which proved to be correct.  We hadn’t seen it the board in the centre and so I called the centre to make them aware.  As I watched the tern I picked up a second bird and we had rather nice views of both before they flew off down the river, which they had done several times before.  A party of RSPB staff then arrived and managed to get on the birds before they disappeared down the river and not seen again.  One of the wardens indicated that he had worked on the site for almost six years and these were the first he had seen and wasn’t aware of any other records.

The warden advised us that the Garganey had also been seen from the bank on New Fen, where they had done some extensive habitat management.  We had heard a Common Cuckoo calling on several occasions and so made our way along the bank towards New Fen.  There were several Sedge Warbler singing and we saw at least two and David and I heard a Common Grasshopper Warbler reeling, but Malcolm and Roger couldn’t hear it and we were unable to locate it.

When we eventually reached New Fen we settled down to scan the area of reedbed that had been cleared but there was no sign of the Garganey but we did see Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, a Little Grebe, a Great Cormorant, several Northern Lapwing and four Redwing and I found two Common Snipe along one of the channels,  As we were about to move on I picked up a Eurasian Bittern in flight and called out ‘bittern in flight’ and we all managed to see it before it disappeared into the reeds.  A wet area on the other side of the river held two Eurasian Oystercatchers, along with Canada Goose, Greylag Goose and Mute Swan.

As we walked further along the path there were two Little Egrets on the far side of the river and as we watched our first Western Marsh Harrier of the day, Malcolm picked up a Hobby hawking high to the south and as we watched the bird we found a second.  A Eurasian Curlew was then observed over the fields to the north just before we went through the gate to reach the Joist Fen viewpoint.

From the viewpoint we saw three more Western Marsh Harriers and a couple of Common Kestrel and heard a Water Rail.  It was now very warm and with lunch beckoning we started to make our way back along the southern path.  David and Malcolm, who were ahead of Roger and I, heard two Eurasian Reed Warblers but as we stood listening neither revealed themselves before we continued to make our way back.  As David and I approached the centre a Common Kingfisher flashed by and when Malcolm and Roger got back a few minutes later they had heard a Common Whitethroat.

Eurasian Wren

After some lunch we decided to go to Lynford Arboretum and we arrived in the car park at around 14:00.  We walked down the path towards the far meadows seeing a Eurasian Treecreeper and then a Eurasian Nuthatch a little further along.  David was sure he had heard Eurasian Siskin on several occasions and as we were nearly back we eventually saw a male in song flight and then saw it with a female briefly.

Our final port of call was to be Cockley Cley and as we pulled up in the parking area there were two Eurasian Stone-curlew in the field.  Three other birders present hadn’t seen our target bird, Northern Goshawk, and we weren’t surprised.  As we scanned the area we had a single Common Buzzard and two Red Kites and there was a Eurasian Curlew in the field opposite.  As we were about to go Roger said what’s this it’s not a Common Buzzard and when we got on the bird we realised he had picked up a Northern Goshawk, which then flew around for several minutes causing mayhem amongst the local pigeon community.

Feeling very pleased with our day, we set off for home but made our final stop at Blatherwycke Lake in Northamptonshire adding Mandarin Duck and Red-crested Pochard to our day list, which had reached eighty-seven and included six year-ticks.  An excellent day’s birding in some rather pleasant weather with the temperature reaching 27°C.

A brief visit to Thornton Reservoir, Leicestershire - April 18, 2018

A Ring Ouzel had been found yesterday in some horse paddocks below the dam at Thornton Reservoir and had been reported again today.  I was scheduled to pick my youngest granddaughter up from an after-school activity and decided to go and try and see the Ring Ouzel before doing so.

I parked in the public car park and walked almost the length of the dam before reaching the area overlooking the horse paddocks.  As I approached the area I could see two birds in the smaller paddock, one being a Mistle Thrush and the other either the Ring Ouzel or a Common Blackbird.  I stopped and raised the bins and was able to confirm that it was the ouzel but as I walked further along to join two otter birders it flew and circled before landing on the fence briefly and then disappearing into the hedge at the back of the larger paddock.  We then saw it on several occasions on the edge of the larger paddock, where it was chased by a Common Blackbird, but quickly emerged again.  A couple of youths on motor bikes then went down the road and one of the bikes backfired, which flushed everything in the paddocks and it was some time before the ouzel showed again but then it was seen rather well.

I saw a single Sand Martin as I walked along the footpath and a Blackcap could be heard singing whilst looking over the paddocks.

A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 17, 2018

I was helping with the summer wildfowl count at Rutland Water today but headed for Eyebrook Reservoir first, hoping there might be some migrants in evidence.  As I passed Wistow Pool there were two Little Egrets roosting in a tree, but I hadn’t seen a great deal else as I turned onto the northern approach road to the reservoir.

The water was still very high, although there was a suggestion of some mud starting to appear around the inlet.  Three Little Egrets were observed along the Leicestershire shore and a Common Kestrel was observed along the Rutland bank but there was very little else and so I continued onto Rutland Water to to begin the count.

As usual I was assigned to count South Arm Three and Lagoon One and after parking at the bottom of Lyndon Road, I heard a Lesser Whitethroat but was unable to locate it.  I walked towards the Old Hall to check the bay on the other side of a small cops but found very little in the bay with just a couple of Mallard and Eurasian Teal.  An Egyptian Goose flew in and two Mute Swan were visible further out, but I was soon making my way back towards the cattle grid to count the rest of the arm.  I took shelter from the now fresh southerly wind behind the small copse, which enabled me to count the south shore from Goldeneye Hide to Brown’s Island.  There wasn’t a great deal, just a few Greylag Geese and Tufted Ducks and several Great Crested Grebe.  As I walked out towards the point to count the rest of the arm the wind was making it almost impossible to use the scope, and so I decided to go to Lapwing Hide on the Egleton Reserve to complete it.

I parked in the Egleton car park and then walked towards the northern lagoons and Lapwing Hide.  I saw a Willow Warbler and Blackcap and heard several more of both species and I also heard my second Lesser Whitethroat of the day and several Common Chiffchaff.

As I had hoped I was able to shelter from the wind in the hide but all I could find were several more Tufted Duck and two Common Goldeneye.  I called Steve before leaving the hide and found he and Terry were counting Lagoon Four from Plover Hide.  He informed me that both the American Wigeon and Bar-tailed Godwit were visible from the hide and so I took a break from counting and went to Plover Hide.

When I arrived Steve and Terry were still there, and the Bar-tailed Godwit was on the end of island two but the American Wigeon had disappeared.  After a brief search I left the hide with Steve and Terry and started to walk back to count Lagoon One.  As we approached the gate to Shoveler Hide a Lesser Whitethroat sand and after Steve located it we all had nice views before it disappeared.  Steve and Terry continued onto Shoveler Hide to continue their count and I made my way back to the Birdwatching Centre to start the count on Lagoon One.  As I approached the Badger Hide I heard yet another Lesser Whitethroat and possibly my forth of the day.

There were eight Common Shelduck, a Northern Pintail and five Common Pochard on the lagoon and six Common Terns were quartering over the water, which were my first of the year.  After completing the count, I called Tim, who asked if I would count the Wet Meadow and so I went to Snipe Hide, seeing a couple of Common Chiffchaff as I reached the end of the wooded area behind Lagoon One.

There were another four Common Shelduck and a pair of Northern Pintail on the flashes and I heard a Eurasian Curlew calling several times but didn’t see it and suspect it was on Lagoon Five.

Steve had called me to inform me that there was a possible Lesser Scaup on Lagoon One.  Apparently, the bird was right at the back of the lagoon and asleep most of the time and although Steve was sure it was a scaup of some kind he hadn’t seen it sufficiently well to be certain as to what it was.

After lunch I went to the viewing area to try and locate the unidentified scaup but could only find Tufted Ducks and when Steve joined me he was unable to relocate it and presumably it had flown off or gone out of sight behind and island or into some vegetation.

With little else I went to Dunlin Hide on Lagoon Four seeing both a Common Chiffchaff and a Blackcap in the area around the Badger Hide and a Willow Warbler as I neared the end of the Winter Trail.  When I reached the hide, there were other birders in the hide, but they hadn’t seen the American Wigeon.  Another group of birders then arrived and after the first group had departed one of them found the American Wigeon, which was in the southwest corner.  I pointed out the Bar-tailed Godwit to them and alerted then to three Western Yellow Wagtails flying over.  There was also a Pied Avocet, six Common Ringed Plover and six Dunlin on the lagoon but other than a few more Common Shelduck little else and I moved onto Shoveler Hide.

All I could find of note from Shoveler Hide were a pair of Common Pochard, a Little Grebe and the second-summer Mediterranean Gull.  After sitting in the hide for a while I decided to go to the Lyndon Reserve before coming back to the VTC for a recorder’s meeting.

When I arrived, the centre was still open and so I spent a few minutes observing the feeders and was rewarded with eight Eurasian Tree Sparrows and a female Brambling.  From the centre I went to Teal Hide where I could see one of the Western Ospreys on the nest and found a pair of Eurasian Oystercatcher below Lax Hill.  I scanned the water towards Manton Bay and eventually found the Great Northern Diver before I went back to the VTC.

An early morning in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire - April 15, 2017

The moth trap was out last night with just eight moths trapped of five species and whilst emptying the trap two Raven flew over.

The following were recorded: Emmelina monodactyla [1]; Early Thorn [2]; Clouded Drab [2]; Common Quaker [2] and Hebrew Character [2].

Early Thorn

Common Quaker

Clouded Drab

A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 14, 2018

Roger and I decided to go to Great Glen this morning in the hope of finding a Common Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail as David had seen them here recently.

It was a very pleasant spring morning and a welcome change to the rather dreary weather we have had over the last nine days.  After parking in the village, we walked the short distance to the footpath that passes a small lake.  The footpath was much wetter than I have known it before and when we reached the lake there was a single Mute Swan, twelve Canada Geese and several Mallard on view.  Two Grey Herons were standing on a fallen tree but if there were any birds on nests they weren’t visible.  A pair of Gadwall was more unusual but there was no sign of the Common Kingfisher.

We moved away from the lake and after we had passed through the gate I picked up a bird as it flew from over the wood heading northwest.  The bounding flight initially suggested a Eurasian Skylark and as I raised my bins a second bird appeared and they both continued flying away from us.  Roger had also got on them by now and it was obvious they weren’t Eurasian Skylarks.  They were quite chunky birds with rounded wings with a rather broad wing-bar.  The general colouration of the birds was pinkish-brown, and we realised we were watching two Hawfinches.  As they moved further away the wing-bars remained quite prominent and quite striking.

We continued to the sewage treatment works where we found a single Pied Wagtail and two Eurasian Magpies on the filter beds.  As we reached the eastern end of the works I picked up a Grey Wagtail in flight and then obligingly it landed on a rail.  It was a male and remained on the rail for quite some time giving good views before it flew onto the top of a tank and out of sight.  We moved a little further away and Roger then picked it up again when it came close to the edge before disappearing again.  There was another Blackcap singing and as we walked back we had a Yellowhammer, Common Reed Bunting and eventually found a Common Chiffchaff.  A further stop at the lake failed to produce the Common Kingfisher and so we returned to the car seeing a Great Spotted Woodpecker as we did so.

We had received a WhatsApp message regarding eighteen Common Scoter at Eyebrook Reservoir and as it was a county year-tick for Roger we headed for the reservoir.  A Red Kite just before we turned towards Slawston was the only bird of note before we reached the reservoir.

We approached the reservoir from the south as we thought the Common Scoter were most likely to be in the southern section.  There was no sign from the railings in the west corner and so we continued along the road turning towards the bridge and the stopping briefly to view the inlet.  With the water level still very high there was very little and so we drove further along the Rutland bank and parked in one of the parking areas.  Initially it appeared that the Common Scoter had perhaps moved on but then Roger picked them up some distance away.  They were rather difficult to count as they were constantly moving and changing direction in a tight flock.  Eventually we were both happy that there were eighteen birds, but we couldn’t determine how many males or females there were.  Other than the scoter it was very quiet with just a single Red Kite and a Common Buzzard worthy of note.

From Eyebrook Reservoir we went to the North Arm at Rutland Water seeing one of the Manton Bay Western Ospreys as we went over Manton Bridge and three Brimstone butterflies between Uppingham and Gunthorpe.  As we drove down the unnamed road we stopped briefly to observe the fishponds where there were lots of Tufted Duck and I found a single Common Pochard.  After parking we walked out towards the spit and I found the pair of Common Scoter that Erik had reported earlier, which were alongside a male Common Goldeneye.  Chris Park then joined us and after seeing the Common Scoter he found a pair of Mandarin Duck on the north shore.  There were two Eurasian Oystercatchers in the arm and a Common Redshank flew over after being disturbed from the south shore.  We turned our attention to Burley Wood, where we had a single Red Kite, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk and at least four Common Buzzard and two more Common Buzzard were observed over the wood behind us.  There was a Blackcap singing near Tim’s cottage, but only Blue and Great Tits were observed at his feeders.

With nothing new appearing in the North Arm, we made our way to Egleton and the visitor’s centre to view lagoon one.  It was very warm in the viewing area and initially all I found was a couple of Common Pochard, but I then picked up a tern over Lagoon Two that continued heading south over Lagoon One towards Lax Hill where we lost it.  When I first saw it, I assumed that it would be a Common Tern but as it flew across the lagoon I thought that it might be an Arctic Tern, but we couldn’t confirm it before it was lost.  Chris then came up to the viewing area and as I was explaining he had just missed a tern he picked one up over Lagoon two, which we assumed would be the same bird.  We managed to get the scopes on it and again and we all suspected it was an Arctic Tern but the bright sunlight wasn’t making it easy and so we decided to go to Common Redshank Hide on Lagoon Two.

The hide was quite full when we arrived but we all managed to get a seat and we soon picked up the tern.  It was now feeding at the far end of Lagoon Two but did come closer on several occasions and eventually we were all happy it was indeed an Arctic Tern and Chris sent a WhatsApp message out.  He then cried Little Gull and I had brief views of an adult winter Little Gull as it flew towards the far end of the lagoon.  Satisfied with the Arctic Tern, Roger and I went back to the car park for lunch while Chris continued onto the northern lagoons.

After lunch Roger and I made our way to the northern lagoons and in particularly to the area of scrub between Shoveler and Bittern Hides.  A birder returning had seen both Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat early in the scrub and we continued with some optimism.  When we reached the area, it appeared fairly quiet and all we heard was a single Blackcap and so we continued onto Plover Hide.

Primrose from the inter Trail

Colt's-foot near the Lagoon Four sluice

The water level on Lagoon Four is now beginning to drop nicely and there were at least nine Common Redshanks feeding amongst the exposed areas but other than a few Eurasian Oystercatchers there appeared to be no other waders.  A then picked up a first-summer Little Gull that was just the other side of island three.  It remained in view for quite some time as it bathed before it eventually disappeared.  As I scanned the far side of the lagoon I had seen five Eurasian Curlew but when I scanned again I found seven birds and on close inspection identified one a Whimbrel and probably the bird that has wintered here for two years; it is surprising how illusive it is at times.

First-summer Little Gull

First-summer Little Gull

First-summer Little Gull

Great Crested Grebe

Displaying Great Crested Grebes

Greylag Goose

With little else we walked back but the Sedge Warbler and reported Common Whitethroat were still quiet and so we went to Shoveler Hide.  There was quite a crowd with Chris, Ricky and Graham all being present.  The second-summer Mediterranean Gull was still on the island with the Black-headed Gulls and there was a good number of Northern Shoveler and Common Goldeneye on the Lagoon.  The Arctic Tern and the first-summer Little Gull were also feeding over the water and apparently the winter adult Little Gull had also been present but there was no sign whilst we were in the hide.  Tim then arrived and shortly after he had departed Roger and I left as Roger needed to be back home for 18:00.

Second-summer Mediterranean Gull

We did have time to have one final look for a Sedge Warbler but again got the same result, but we did have a party of hirundine circling high over Lagoon Four, which were mainly Common House Martins with a couple of Sand Martin amongst them.

We didn’t see a great deal else walking back to the car and after a coffee were soon on our way home after a good day’s birding.  We had recorded seventy-four species with one, the Arctic Tern, being a year-tick and another, the Hawfinch, being a county year-tick.  My totals now stand at 173 and 139 respectively.

A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 12, 2018

Roger picked me up around 07:30 and we then went to David’s before making our way to Eyebrook Reservoir.  It was quite foggy and consequently we saw very little on route, but as we approached the reservoir there were circa sixty Fieldfare in the field and the old oak.  As we turned towards the bridge I saw a Western Barn Owl, which had obviously been perched on the side of the road, but it flew up and over the plantation and both David and Roger missed it.  We continued around to view the inlet but with water level still being very high there was very little, which also applied to the rest of the reservoir.  A brief stop at the feeding station at Stoke Dry produced a couple of Common Chaffinch and a Common Reed Bunting but with little else we made our way to Rutland Water.

As it was quite foggy we went to the Lyndon Reserve, going into the centre to observe the feeders.  As usual there was a constant coming and going of birds that included a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, several Blue and Great Tits, a European Robin, a Dunnock, a House Sparrow, three Eurasian Tree Sparrows and several Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch and European Goldfinch and a single Common Reed Bunting.  Although we could see the water from the centre we couldn’t see too far and so decided to go to the Egleton Reserve and walk to the northern lagoons.

After parking we walked to the centre and checked the feeders but there was nothing of note and after checking the book, where very little was reported for yesterday we made our way to Dunlin Hide on Lagoon Four.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over as we approached Badger Hide and we then stopped near the feeding station where we eventually all managed to see a Brambling, which was a nice male.  We heard Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap as we made our way along the Winter Path where two Green Woodpeckers were also quite vocal.

When we reached Dunlin Hide to observe Lagoon Four the visibility was very poor, and we were unable to see the far side of the lagoon.  We were hoping to find the American Wigeon but there was no sign and all we found were three Common Redshanks, a couple of Barn Swallows and a Western Yellow Wagtail.

We moved onto the area of scrub between Shoveler and Bittern Hides but the hoped-for Sedge Warbler remained silent and from Bittern Hide we were just able to make out the second-summer Mediterranean Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls on Lagoon Three.

With a report of several House Martins from Lapwing Hide we made our way back, hearing a Blackcap but the Sedge Warbler remained silent, before we turned along the track to Lapwing Hide.

When we reached the hide we couldn’t see that far but there were several hirundine feeding close to the hide.  Most were Barn Swallow but there were also a few Sand Martin and David and I picked up a single House Martin.  Roger, who needed it for a year-tick, didn’t see it and then they moved further away to the edge of the visibility, when they became just silhouettes.  They did comeback and Roger then managed to find two House Martin before we left the hide.  The only other birds we saw were a few Tufted Duck and ten Common Goldeneye.

We went into Shoveler Hide to view Lagoon Three and found the Mediterranean Gull on top of one of the terracotta pots.  There was also two Common Shelduck, a Little Egret and a single Common Pochard.

With the weather still quite bad we made our way back to the car park and went into the centre to eat our lunch.  As we were approaching the centre I received a text from Roger Brett informing me that there was a Little Gull on Lagoon One, which would be a year-tick for David.  We went up to the viewing area, finding Andy Brett, who then gave us direction for the first-summer Little Gull.  It was clearly the same bird I had seen on Tuesday but wasn’t easy to pick out, in the fog, as it flew amongst a small party of Black-headed Gulls.

We went back downstairs for our lunch and with the visibility looking a little better we went back to Dunlin Hide hoping for a better result. We saw a Common Chiffchaff on route, however when we reached the hide the visibility wasn’t a great deal better, although we could now just make out the back of the lagoon.  We hadn’t been in the hide long when another text from Roger indicated that there was a Common Greenshank on the lagoon.  I gave him a call to see where it was, and we found out it was on the back of island seven and out of sight for us.  Andy indicated that it was making its way to the far end of the island and just afterwards David announced it was in view.  I got the scope on it and I watched it as it went back behind the island again.  Andy and Roger then joined us, and we saw the Common Greenshank on a couple more occasions but never more than a brief view.  David then found what he thought was the Pink-footed Goose on the far bund, close to several Greylag Geese.  We all manged to get on the bird, but the visibility was making very difficult but we all agreed that it was the Pink-foot.  Andy and Roger then departed, and we left shortly afterwards, heading for the car park and an early bath as the weather wasn’t improving.

As we walked back we had a brief view of a male Blackcap along the Winter Trail and a Eurasian Treecreeper near Badger Hide but with the weather appearing to close again we were soon on our way home.

A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 10, 2018

When I left home this morning it was raining heavily and was still doing so as I reached Eyebrook Reservoir.  As I approached the reservoir via the northern approach road there was a flock of 30+ Fieldfare that flew off the field into the old oak.  There was a Little Egret feeding along the inlet stream and I saw two Barn Swallows over the reservoir but there was very little else.

From Eyebrook Reservoir I went to the Lyndon Reserve where the rain had eased.  I went into the centre and spent some time observing the feeders where there was a constant coming and going of birds that included a couple of Eurasian Tree Sparrows, along with two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Blue and Great Tits, European Robin, Dunnock, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch and Common Reed Bunting.

I then went to Teal Hide to view the South Arm and found both Great Northern Divers close to Manton Bay and the two Western Ospreys were at the nest site in bay.  As I continued to scan I picked up a Western Barn Owl quartering over the meadows between Heron Bay and Manton Bay but there was nothing else of real note and I went back into the centre.

There had been a Brambling at the feeders yesterday and so I accepted Paul’s offer of a cup of tea and settled down to observe the feeders for a while.  There were fewer birds at the feeders than earlier but more gradually returned, including another couple of Eurasian Tree Sparrows and a Yellowhammer.  I then picked up a Lesser Redpoll in the hedge to the left and a few minutes later one appeared at the feeding station and eventually there were five present, including a rather smart-looking male.

Malcolm had called earlier and was on the Egleton Reserve and indicated that the road was flooded from the main road to Egleton and so I decided to go to the north arm via the Oakham bypass.  As I drove along the unnamed road there were four Common Shelducks in the fishponds and when I stopped at Tim’s feeders, it appeared quiet with just a few Blue & Great Tits visiting.  However, I did stick it out for a few minutes and was rewarded with a Coal Tit and two Marsh Tit.  With just a Little Egret and two Eurasian Oystercatcher visible from the far parking spot I was soon on my way to the Egleton Reserve.

I checked the geese in the fields as Steve and Terry had seen the Pink-footed Goose fly in that direction with several Greylag Geese but there were just Greylags, a couple of Canada and three Egyptian Geese.

After parking I went into the centre and on checking the sightings book was surprised to find that a pair of Common Scoter had been reported on Lagoon One.  Mike Chester then came down from the viewing gallery and said that he had just seen them.  I went back up with Mike and found them towards the rear of the lagoon.  This was the first time I had seen Common Scoter on any of the lagoons and while they are not an uncommon visitor to the site they are usually confined to the main reservoir.  I called Steve to make him aware as during an earlier conversation he had indicated that he was hoping for them and some terns today.  I also alerted Malcolm who hadn’t seen the Pink-footed Goose or American Wigeon on Lagoon Four and was on his way back to the centre.  Steve and Terry arrived shortly afterwards, and Steve then found a first-summer Little Gull on the water.  Just after Malcolm had arrived the Little Gull started flying and provided some nice, if distant views.

Malcolm, Mike and I then went back to the car park, leaving Steve and Terry in the centre and while having lunch I saw both a male and female Blackcap.  After we had finished our lunch it wasn’t too difficult in persuading Malcolm to go back to Dunlin Hide to have another look for the American Wigeon.

The tracks were very wet in places, but the winter path was reasonably dry and as we approached the end of the path we heard and saw a Willow Warbler and then a second whilst continuing to Dunlin Hide.  Just before reaching the hide a WhatsApp message indicated that the drake American Wigeon was still on Lagoon Four.

The hide was empty when we went in but just afterwards Toby and two friends came in and it wasn’t long afterwards when I found the American Wigeon.  There were eleven Common Shelduck and a pair of Northern Pintail on the lagoon and I eventually found ten Eurasian Oystercatcher and at least three Common Redshank, which were very mobile.  Craig had also joined us and shortly afterwards Malcolm said he might have the Pink-footed Goose at the back of the lagoon.  A quick scan with the bins revealed the bird and on getting it in the scope I was satisfied with his identification.  Steve and Terry then arrived, and the hide was now quite crowded but all we added were four Western Yellow Wagtails before Toby and his friends and then Craig left the hide.  Steve and Terry left shortly afterwards to try and locate a Sedge Warbler and it wasn’t long before Malcolm and I left with the same idea in mind.

When we reached the area, Toby indicated that they had just heard one, but it remained silent and so Malcolm and I went to Shoveler Hide.

When we arrived Steve and Terry were in the hide and the second-summer Mediterranean Gull was still on the islands with the Black-headed Gulls but after a couple of short flights Malcolm saw it fly off to the east and it hadn’t returned when we left the hide.

Malcolm and I went to Lapwing Hide to view the South Arm and soon found the summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe out on the water.  Terry had picked it up from the centre, but it had been disturbed by a fishing boat and was now in the centre of the arm.  The fishing boat was now heading out into the centre of the arm and rather than swimming directly away from it, the grebe moved away from the line of the boat and then headed back into the corner, where there was obviously a good supply of food.

With very little else in the South Arm we walked back to where the Sedge Warbler was singing and this time we not only heard it but also had brief views.  Pleased with our success we moved onto Plover Hide where a Common Ringed Plover had been reported.

Plover Hide gives a different view of Lagoon Four and in particular the opposite side to most of the islands.  Initially all we found were much of what we had seen earlier, Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Common Redshank but as I scanned island four I found a ringed plover-type and on closer inspection identified it as a Little Ringed Plover.  Malcolm then set off back to the car park and another birder asked about the American Wigeon and I gave him some directions as where we had seen it earlier and he found close to the western bank before I also set off for the car park.

Malcolm called as I was walking along the winter path to inform me that he had seen a male Brambling near the feeders in the ringing area.  As I continued along the track I heard and then found another singing Blackcap and on reaching the Rutland gate near the feeders I stopped to scan the trees and bushes for the Brambling.  There were a few European Goldfinch in the bush, but I could see nothing else and so went to the other side of the small bridge to view the big tree.  I could see a European Greenfinch but again there was no sign of the Brambling and so I retraced my steps back to the Rutland gate, seeing a Common Chiffchaff as I did so.  There were now several Eurasian Blue Tit in the bushes but again no sign of the Brambling and so I returned to the big tree again with the same result.  I decided to go back once more to the Rutland gate before heading back to the car park and found there were now more birds in the bushes.  As I scanned I found both Green and European Goldfinches and was fairly certain one of the birds at the back of the bush was in fact a Brambling.  When it moved I was able to confirm my suspicions and saw that there was also a second bird nearby, but they were both females.  A third bird then appeared, and I had reasonable views of a male Brambling.

When I got back to the car park I changed my boots and whilst drinking a cup of coffee saw a bird fly into a tree near the toilet block and on raising my bins found it was a Redwing.

It had been a good days birding despite the early rain and misty conditions with eighty-four species recorded.  Migration remained slow although there were clearly more Barn Swallow around today and also a couple of House Martins, and along with the Sand Martin there was probably close to 100 hirundine over Lagoon Four at one point.

A day in Leicestershire & Rutland - April 7, 2018

It was overcast as I left home and headed for Eyebrook Reservoir and as I went past Wistow Pool there were three Little Egrets roosting in a tree and I saw a Common Kestrel just after passing through Tur Langton.  I didn’t see too much else before I turned onto the northern approach road to the reservoir, with a Eurasian Bullfinch being the best.

As I parked at the bridge there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the tree near the feeders, but a single Eurasian Tree Sparrow was the only other bird of note.  The water level had fallen since my last visit but was still very high and consequently there wasn’t a great deal at the inlet.  A Barn Swallow up high was my first here this year and as I drove along the Rutland side I found a Common Kestrel and two more Barn Swallows and a House Martin.

David had called to say that he had seen a Common Kingfisher in the North Arm at Rutland Water but not a lot else.  I didn’t expect to see the Common Kingfisher but went to the unnamed road in the North Arm.  As I moved down the road there were two Eurasian Oystercatcher on the shore of the fishponds and a Eurasian Jay flushed from the side of the road.  There were just Eurasian Blue and Great Tits visiting Tim’s feeders and as I moved down the road Tim appeared, and I stopped and had a chat.  I told him about David’s Common Kingfisher sighting and he indicated that it was probably the first at the reservoir this year.  I stopped briefly at the far end where I heard both Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap and another look at Tim’s feeders produced a Coal Tit and two Common Reed Buntings.  As I had one final scan of the meadows a Mistle Thrush flew in but there was nothing else and I went to the Egleton car park.

David had called again to say that he had seen a Willow Warbler and a Sedge Warbler in the scrub just beyond Shoveler Hide but I went into the centre first to check out Lagoon One seeing another Great Spotted Woodpecker over the car park.

I could see a couple of Eurasian Oystercatcher on the meadow to the right and beyond there were two Little Egrets on the Wet Meadow.  There were two Common Shelduck on the lagoon and I could see another on the Wet Meadow but other than a single Northern Pintail and Common Pochard I couldn’t find anything else of note.

As I approached the gate at the end of the Summer Trail I met David and he walked back with me to view the area beyond Shoveler Hide.  As we approached the area I heard a Sedge Warbler start singing and there was a second further along but neither revealed themselves and eventually I heard a Willow Warbler but again didn’t see it.  Whilst trying to see the Willow Warbler and Sedge Warblers I did see a Eurasian Jay and a three Common Chiffchaff.

I went into Bittern Hide with David but didn’t see a great deal and he went back to the centre whilst I went into Plover Hide to view Lagoon Four.  There was another Little Egret on the northern bund and I counted fifteen Common Shelduck, six Eurasian Oystercatcher and three Common Redshank.

As I walked back towards Shoveler Hide I heard the Willow Warbler, but the Sedge Warblers had gone quiet and I continued onto Shoveler Hide.  I soon found the second-summer Mediterranean Gull on one of the islands but with little else I moved onto Lapwing Hide.  There were a few fishing boats on the water and consequently most of the birds were quite distant, but I did find the Black-necked Grebe, which wasn’t too far out.

As I started to go back I heard a Cetti's Warbler and the Sedge Warblers were singing again as I walked back towards Bittern Hide but they were remaining out of sight.  Another visit into Bittern Hide produced a Barnacle Goose and the Mediterranean Gull again.

As I walked back one of the Sedge Warbler was still singing but still proving to be elusive when I received a WhatsApp message from Chris Park indicating that the American Wigeon was still on Lagoon Four.  I thought I might be able to catch Chris and suspected that he would probably be in Dunlin Hide and so headed for there.  As I was approaching the hide there were quite a few Eurasian Wigeon in flight and I thought that is just my luck as something had clearly disturbed them.  I found Chis just at the bottom of the hide and he said that the American Wigeon was to the left of the hide and showing well.  He came back in the hide with me, but the bird had obviously moved but he then found it in the far left hand corner.  This bird has been very elusive this year and my last sighting was on February 24^th and this is only my third sighting this year.  We then noticed a Western Osprey on the ‘T’ perch, which was obviously the reason for the disturbance and this then dropped into the water to bathe and a Barn Swallow flew over.

We eventually left the hide and I went for my lunch, whilst Chris went onto Lapwing Hide.  I had heard another five Common Chiffchaff and three Blackcaps between leaving the car park and getting back but there was a distinct lack of other migrants and perhaps most surprising I hadn’t seen a single Sand Martin.

After lunch I went back to Dunlin Hide and whilst on the phone to my wife I heard a Grey Plover call but couldn’t locate it and so I continued onto Dunlin Hide hoping that it might be on Lagoon Four.  As I approached the hide there were three Little Egrets on the bund to the west.  There was another birder in the hide who thought he had seen the American Wigeon but wasn’t too sure but as I scanned between the hide and island eight I found it feeding alongside several other Eurasian Wigeon.  There was a Curlew on island seven and then two Western Yellow Wagtails were observed in flight and on the island.  Two Common Buzzard and a Red Kite then flew with the kite being harassed by a number of Northern Lapwing.

From Dunlin Hide I went back to the centre where I found Chris and Ricky.  There were three Eurasian Curlew towards Harrier Hide and I noticed a Western Barn Owl perched on the edge of the trees at the back of the lagoon.  There was also more Sand Martin over the man-made nesting bank and at one point there must have been at last 100.

Ricky then left and shortly afterwards Chris and I left hearing a Willow Warbler sing several times but when we went to where we thought it was it stopped singing but a male Blackcap did reveal itself.  We heard the Willow Warbler again as we went back to the road and it had clearly moved but then went quiet again and we continued back to our cars.

I had recorded seventy-nine species today that included two-year ticks, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler, and the Grey Plover was a county year-tick.  My year list now stands at 171 and my county year-list has moved onto 135.

A day in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire & Rutland - April 5, 2018

Roger arrived at my house just before 06:30 and after transferring his gear into my car we picked Dave up and the headed for the Egleton car park to pick Malcolm up before heading off to Frampton Marsh.

We hadn’t seen a great deal when we arrived at Frampton Marsh at around 08:20 and headed to the seawall car park.  We were a little surprised how cold it felt when we got out of the car, which was mainly due to the fresh northwest wind.  We scanned the marsh finding twenty European Golden Plover and several Eurasian Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet; Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit; Ruff and Dunlin before going up onto the seawall.

It felt even colder on the seawall and we dropped down below the top to at least get some shelter from the wind.  We spent quite some time scanning the marsh, which was quiet until David said what’s this.  It turned out to be a female Merlin but somehow, I managed to miss it as it flew by quite close to us.  I suspect I was looking too far out and scanning behind the bird before it skipped over the seawall.  The only other birds of note were two distant Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel and three Sand Martin.

We eventually went back to the car and drove to the main car park and going into the visitor's centre, where we saw a female Western Marsh Harrier, before making our way around to the eastern edge of the reserve to look for Corn Bunting.  As we approached the Reedbed Hide, two Barn Swallows flew over and we then spent a good thirty minutes looking for a Corn Bunting without success, although a male Common Kestrel provided a good photo opportunity.

Common Kestrel

Common Kestrel

After walking back to the car, we drove to the seawall car park again with the intention of spending some time viewing the saltmarsh.  As we started to walk to the seawall two other birders made us aware that there were two Little Ringed Plover and a Western Yellow Wagtail just a few yards the other way and so we went to look.

We soon found the two Little Ringed Plover and then the Western Yellow Wagtail, which was a little further away but did get good views of both.

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Having had good views we then made our way to the seawall but again saw very little with three Common Buzzards being the highlight but as we scanned the fresh marsh I found a single Spotted Redshank, which made the time on the wall worthwhile.

Two Ruff provided a good photo opportunity from the car park and I found a White Wagtail as we were about to leave.

Ruff

Ruff

White Wagtail

Brent Goose

It hadn’t been one of our most successful trips to Frampton, but we had seen a good range of species before leaving and heading back to Rutland Water, seeing three Common Kestrel close to Spalding.

On reaching Rutland Water we went to the unnamed road to view the North Arm and a stop at Tim’s feeders produced a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Eurasian Nuthatch and a Lesser Redpoll.  I then drove to the far end of the road, whilst the others walked and once we had got back together we located a Eurasian Treecreeper.

Ken Chamberlain then came back from the spit and indicated that there was very little, which was probably due to the number of fishing boats.  As we stood talking a single Barnacle Goose was observed in flight and Barn Swallow flew over the fishponds.  Over Burley we had at least six Common Buzzards and a single Northern Raven.

From the North Arm we went to the Egleton car park and then walked to the northern Lagoons.  As we approached Sandpiper Hide on Lagoon Four a few birders entered the hide and so we decided to go to Dunlin Hide.  A Willow Warbler had been reported earlier in the hedge running alongside the path and when Malcolm said he had a warbler we were hoping it was the Willow Warbler.  However, as we scanned the hedge a female Blackcap appeared, and we assumed it was the bird he had seen.

On reaching the hide we found some other birders present but there was still room for the four of us to get seated.  Malcolm soon found the Northern Wheatear on the west bank and there were two Eurasian Oystercatcher on island ten, six Eurasian Curlew on island eight and Common Redshank on islands seven and nine and a male Western Yellow Wagtail was on island five.

Malcolm went to look for warblers between Shoveler and Bittern hides, David went to Lapwing Hide to view the South Arm and Roger and I went into Shoveler Hide to view Lagoon Three.  There were two Eurasian Oystercatcher just to the left of the hide and Common Pochard on the lagoon and the second-summer Mediterranean Gull was still present amongst the Black-headed Gulls.

With nothing else, Roger and I went to join David in Lapwing Hide hearing a Cetti’s Warbler just after leaving the hide.  This was my first on site this year and there have been few records since the ‘Blast from the East’.

When we joined David, he had already found the adult summer Black-necked Grebe but hadn’t seen much else.  As I watched the grebe he announced he had a Greater Scaup and we eventually found a male and a female.  Roger then said he thought he had one of the Great Northern Divers and when he described where it was it was obvious why he wasn’t 100% sure.  We all managed to get on the bird eventually, which appeared to be just of Teal Hide on the Lyndon Reserve and agreed with Roger that it was one of the divers.

We met Malcom at the main path, but he hadn’t had any luck with either of his two hoped species, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler.  As we walked back to the car park I saw a couple of Common Chiffchaffs as we approached the Badger Hide.

Whilst the day may not have included one of our best days at Frampton I had recorded eighty-five species and despite there being no additions to the year-lists, it had been a good day’s birding.