Late Brambling.

 This late male Brambling was a sign of winter hanging on today. It was coming to next doors feeders.

 It was attempting to sing and impress some ladies, in the form of the local Chaffinch.

 More seasonal fare was this Coot family and a male Blackcap.

Smart Redstart.

 I found this gorgeous male Redstart at about 1800 this evening.

 It briefly frequented a hedge above Stony Bank, the same hedge that has previously attracted this species. ( It was Little Owl hedge , but might  have to be renamed!)

It moved up the hedge line and then promptly disappeared. Let's hope it is there tomorrow, because I would love some better photos.
A Little Egret was also seen flying east as we crossed the dam back to the village.
Other migrants have included one Arctic tern on the 20th, two Yellow Wagtails on the 21st and a singing Lesser Whitethroat near the outflow.

Easter Easterlies!

Up to 3 Common Sandpipers have been frequenting the dam.

 A White Wagtail was on the dam this morning. The clear demarcation at the nape between the black crown and pale grey mantle was obvious, as well as the pale grey on the flanks.

 A Treecreeper was investigating some dead wood in Thornton wood. One of my favourite birds.

Hopefully these easterly winds will produce some good passage birds over the Easter period.

Now back to Thornton!

My first Common Sandpiper of the year was on the dam this morning. Also more hirundines are over the res with Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin all present. Raptors seen today from TRWP(Thornton Raptor Watch Point), included 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine and a Kestrel.

Rutland Pied-Billed Grebe.

I saw one of these earlier this year, but it was on the San Diego River.

 Very confiding and great views.

Thanks this time to Rhys for the lift.

Glossy Ibis at Hicks Lodge.

 At last my patience paid off and I managed to get both a British and county tick. Pity it was not at Thornton!

 It did not seem to be in breeding plumage. Despite Hicks Lodge providing an ideal habitat the Ibis departed at 1900. My thanks to Paul and John for the transport on this twitch.

 Back at Thornton a fly through Osprey was a treat at 1030 today(9th April)

 It flew in from the Markfield inflow and across the reservoir. It was mobbed by gulls, crows and eventually a pair of Buzzards. It out climbed all of these and circled off to the North West.

Also at Browns wood a pair of Marsh Tit were nice to see and Willow Warblers are in song.

Just a Common Buzzard me thinks!

Could it be a Booted Eagle, first for the county? What about a dark phase Swainsons Hawk moving back to the prairies via Thornton? How about a Honey Buzzard, earliest ever in the county? No, pity, I think it is just a very dark Common Buzzard, but I would love someone to re find it and prove me wrong.

Raptor Species over Thornton????

 Had this Raptor fly in at 1805 at Thornton on Friday 4th. Up to 6 Common Buzzard are in the area, but this bird was immediately mobbed by Crows. My attention was drawn to it I think because it seemed longer winged and dark.

 

I would appreciate any comments on this and just wish I had been able to obtain better photos.