Friday 29 April 2011

Water level drops further.

The increasing mud around the res. has attracted this Little Ringed Plover.

LRP's will attempt to breed in shingle areas, but I am afraid that the disturbance around the reservoir may not be to their liking.



A flock of 5 Yellow Wagtails were in the fields off stoney bank. They seemed to be all males.





Finally a flock of at least 10 Arctic Terns flew over on the 27th heading NE , nearing the end of their epic migration.







Tuesday 12 April 2011

Waxwings with the spring Migrants!

Male Yellow Wagtail.
Common Sandpiper.
Male Yellowhammer.
Waxwing.
Over the last few evenings a small group of Waxwings have been at the top end of the res. It has been strange to see these winter visitors fly catching in the tree tops, with hirundines flitting over head. Other recent passage birds have included 2 smart male Yellow Wagtails, and 4 Wheatears . Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are singing and afew House Martins are mixed in with the Sand Martins and Swallows.

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Migrants arrive.

Over the last few days there has been a drip feed of migrants. 32 Meadow Pipits were in the fields below the res. on the 26th, and this coincided with the first Swallow. Sand Martin numbers have been swelling, with up to 100 by the 4th April. Two House Martins were seen today. (5th). Blackcap have been singing since the 2nd and 2 males were rung on the 3rd. Dave had a single Common Sandpiper on the 24th March, an early date for this passage migrant. Other wildlife has included Pipistrelle bats during the warm evenings and Orange Tip, Brimstone and Small White butterflies during the warm afternoons.