Floods and Migrants.

A day of heavy intense rain and the reservoir is now over the over flow for the first time in probably 18 months. A Swan at the top end is toughing it out as the water floods over the weir. Migrants today included a single Wheatear on the dam, a Swift and two Yellow wagtails. A smart Grey Wagtail was also on the dam.

Ring Ouzels.

I at last caught up with the 3 Ring Ouzels in the fields near to Retreat farm on Tuesday at 1730. There were two males and one female. They were feeding on Ivy berries in the hedge and then coming out on to the field to feed. Several Blackbirds were also investigating them.

This is the first time that I have had Ring Ouzels hang around at Thornton, no doubt due to the unsettled weather conditions.

Bet you wish you had a smart gorget like mine!

Other migrants.

Probable White Wagtail.

Two Yellow Wags. were with up to 32 Pied Wags on the meadows above Stony bank.

Dave found the first Common Sandpiper of the year on the dam.

This has also been in the wagtail field. It is a Reed Bunting, isn't it? It seems to be undergoing some strange head moult. The head is male , but the crown is still in winter plumage or even female. It also seems rather pale. Any suggestions or is it just The Thornton Bunting!

Pale phase juv. Buzzard.

I managed to get some rather blurred shots of this pale phase juv. buzzard as it talon grappled with another typical coloured buzzard.

The images below show the black comma mark on the underwing and also how pale/white the bird was. I have not noticed this bird locally and wonder if it was on passage.

New Camera!

Up to 7 Swallows on the 5th. and a single House Martin on the 3rd, and one on the 6th.

Managed to photograph this Coal Tit , but also added Willow tit to my Thornton list today at Brown's wood.

Pair of Buzzard that I thought were about to mate. One then circled over me giving a good photo op.

First Swallow.

A single male Swallow was feeding off Stoney Bank this evening with a dozen or more Sand Martins. There were 10 Pied Wagtails in the field. Since the Scaup it has been quiet, with just a sprinkling of migrants. The first was a Curlew on the 11th with the first Sand Martins on the 15th. Chiffchaff were singing on the 19th, but the first Blackcaps only arrived on the 1st April. There have been up to 7 Buzzards wheeling over the res. There was a White Wagtail in the Wagtail field on the 28th March. A Water Rail has been seen at the top end amongst the reeds. Groups of Fieldfare and Redwing are now heading back north, although the weather in the next few days may hold them up. Butterflies seen so far include Brimstone, Tortoiseshell, Large White and Peacock. Both Noctule and Pippestrelle bats have been out hunting.