A couple of American stunners

Photos:

First summer Bonaparte's and Mediterranean Gulls at Llyn Bach, Porthmadog

Sanderling at Pennington Flash

Spotted Sandpiper, Brockholes Wetland NR

Saturday May 28th

I’ve always wanted to see a Bonaparte’s Gull and have never really had the opportunity. On Saturday morning I thought sod it – I can’t think of anywhere else to go and the planned trip to the van had gone out of the window so I headed off into Wales. Porthmadog has special memories for me – we used to regularly go around this area on holiday and I saw my first ever Osprey fishing there in the summer of 2003, long before I became a birder.

On arrival I found several birders already watching the Bonaparte’s Gull on a mud flat. It looks a very dainty and smart looking gull. A first summer Med Gull was also present with the handful of Black-headed Gulls. At one point all the gulls spooked when a Peregrine came over and a Song Thrush entertained from a fence post with an amazing song! I ended up spending a couple of hours just watching the gull and nattering with a couple I had met there who were from Warrington. Small world. I thought about going elsewhere but instead just decided to go back home.

At HGF today there were thrills galore with no fewer than 2 Coots and 5 Tufted Ducks! I know – sarcasm doesn’t suit. The incubating Great Crested Grebe is still doing OK. Tree Sparrow and pair of Yellowhammers in the garden.

Sunday 29th May

Woke up this morning with my back killing me – I must have jarred it or something yesterday. Against my better judgement I headed off out with Bill and went to Pennington. Ten minutes of torture sitting in Horrock’s Hide convinced me that my back wasn’t going to tolerate it. I did see a Sanderling on the spit along with a Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers and 4 Little Ringed Plovers.

I drove through Culcheth where a Yellow Wagtail had joined a couple of Corn Buntings on the wires on Holcroft Lane. I briefly checked on the Common Tern chicks – mum was still on the nest with two chicks wandering a bit. The pool has virtually been emptied and only a couple of puddles remain of pool 2 now. The tip pool has completely gone and was deserted. On the mosses I saw the pair of Shelducks fly off over Woodend Lane again.

Late afternoon I took Bill to Risley Moss – we timed it nicely with a sunny patch. It was pretty quiet though 4 Yellowhammers, 3 Stock Doves and 4/5 Buzzards abd a Lesser Redpoll provided some interest. A Hobby eventually did appear over the back, however it seemed to catch something quite quickly and dropped down with its prey. On the way back to the car a deafening thrush chorus lined both sides of the path with no fewer than 6 singing Song Thrushes and probably double figures in Blackbirds all seemed to start singing at once! Driving home I saw another Hobby hunting the fields opposite the prison.

Three Tree Sparrows, the pair of Yellowhammers and a juvenile Goldfinch were the highlights in the garden.

Monday 30th May

Got up this morning with back killing me again. Coupled with the rain and cold I decided to stay out, that is until I found out about the Spotted Sandpiper at Brockholes Wetland NR. The place was rammed and plenty of birders were twitching the bird which showed quite well albeit in pouring rain. I stayed for around 20 minutes to watch it and then, back protesting, I retreated home.

Nothing much in the garden today though two Tree Sparrows were observed on the apex of next doors roof – a bit exposed for this species!

At Rixton this evening I was thrilled to find there were three healthy tern chicks in the nest on Moat Lane pools. Three lads were fishing pool one so nothing there other than a fly over Great Spotted Woodpecker. Additionally on pool 2 was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a pair of Bullfinches plus several Swifts and Sand Martins.

The Seaforth Hordes

Photos:

Sandwich and Common Terns sheltering at Seaforth in high winds plus one of the resident Little Ringed Plovers

Thursday May 26th

Had a mooch round to Seaforth after work. I couldn’t believe the wind – at one point walking towards the main hide the wind stopped me dead in my tracks and almost pushed me backwards. The plus side was that lots of birds were sheltering on the leeward side of the spit. Most impressive was the number of Common Terns – I counted 1350 when they stayed still for long enough! I scanned this flock thoroughly several times – the only other birds of note were 2 Sandwich Terns. A couple of Little Ringed Plovers were messing around in the pool left of the hide and large numbers of gulls were present, primarily immature and adult Lesser Black-backed and 2cy Common Gulls. 6 Dunlin flew over.

HGF this evening was generally quiet. Kestrel and Buzzard seen plus 2 Little Ringed Plovers. The incubating Great Crested Grebe is surviving so far – I expected some scrote to have sent his dog over by now….

Pair of Yellowhammers and Tree Sparrow in the garden.

Friday May 27th

Pretty much same as at HGF this morning inc the 2 LRP’s. A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew over the northern end of the pool and at least 5 Buzzards were up at various points around the pool. In garden there was the Yellowhammer pair and a Tree Sparrow there first thing.

After work and on the way home I did a side trip to Wigan Flashes. I was surprised to find the water level in Pearson’s Flash to be quite low with several mud banks showing. On one of these was perched the long-staying Knot which barely moved an inch while I was there. I suspect this bird may end up the way of the Norwegian Blue! A first summer Little Gull had joined the resident Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns in hawking for insects. The air was full of Swifts and hirundines! I would have liked to have a good wander around for a few hours, sadly though I ran out of time.

The Optimistic Great Crested Grebe

Photos:

Canada Geese with young, Yellow Wagtail and Common Tern with chicks at Rixton

Wood Sandpiper, Altrincham sewage works

Great Crested Grebe, Houghton Green Flash

Saturday May 21st

Took Bill to Bull Beck for a walk. It was tipping down. I spotted three Common Sandpipers on different territories. I then retreated back to the van and didn’t bird again today.

Sunday May 22nd

Couldn’t be bothered to get up and go out this morning. I eventually headed over to Heysham early afternoon, just as the squalls were disappearing and the sun came out. Consequently I missed all the skua action. I did see a few things – 7 Manx Shearwaters in and four out being the most notable. A couple of Razorbills flew past close in, two Sandwich Terns and a single Arctic Tern were also picked up along with 5 Gannets.

Monday May 23rd

14 Great Crested Grebes at HGF and one is perched on a nest. Its chances of survival aren’t good – there is no cover whatsoever and it is too close to the bank. Two pairs of Little Ringed Plovers and the local pair of Oystercatchers also there plus a small flock of 16 Canada Geese and single Coot and Tufted Duck. Not much but compared with recent weeks this is busy!

At Rixton this evening the Lesser Whitethroat was still rattling away and an Oystercatcher and three Little Ringed Plovers were on the various pools. I have finally worked out there are three pairs of LRP’s at Rixton and two pairs at HGF. The Common Terns were still there and by the way the female was acting on the nest I think there may be young. Possibly at least three incubating Black-headed Gulls here too. A male Yellow Wagtail was in Holly Bush Lane.

Tuesday May 24th

HGF quite again. 16 great Crested Grebes on the pool with the incubating bird still OK. Interestingly the numbers of GCG’s are varying each day and also by the hour. The dusk counts are always higher than the morning counts and I have seen birds flying in during the day a couple of times now.

Wednesday 25th May

Had a nice wander around the old training camp in Glazebrook at lunch. Not as many vocal warblers as previously but still plenty of activity. I found 2 male Yellowhammers on the far side near the fields. Also here I enjoyed watching drama Bullfinch style as an intruding male tried to prise away a female under the nose of her mate. He didn’t take very kindly to this and a scrap ensued – the female didn’t seem to be the least bit bothered. Shortly after I heard a Willow Tit call and soon found the noise maker along with a second bird taking food to a nest site. There were plenty of warblers around with a female Blackcap giving me a severe ticking off as presumably I had strayed too close to her nest while in the next bush three juvenile Dunnocks observed with interest. Overhead were 2 Buzzards and a Kestrel.

After work I nipped over to Altrincham sewage works for a butchers at the Wood Sandpiper. I’ve never been here before and was amazed to find it is only 10 minutes from work over the back roads. I rang Sid just to make sure I was barking up the right tree and then off I went. The skulky wader took me quite a time to find – difficult viewing through the fence and there was lots of vegetation for it to hide in. Eventually it showed reasonably well until flushed by a pony. Five Little Ringed Plovers were also in residence.

I also called in at Moat Lane pools. I was able to confirm this evening the presence of two chicks in the nest and also that at least 2 Black-headed Gulls are currently incubating. Three Oystercatchers and three Redshanks were also on pool 2 while next door one of the Shelducks was asleep on an island and a small flock of Canada Geese had arrived. A male Bullfinch was flitting around pool 1.

At HGF late evening I was pleased to see the Great Crested Grebe still incubating while 15 other birds fished or slept nearby. Single Coot and Tufted Duck present plus 2 Canada Geese – 2 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers were on the far edge. In the garden were a pair of Yellowhammers and a Tree Sparrow.

More good waders

Photo:

Temminck's Stint, Wigan Flashes

Monday 16th May

Lunch time escape today to Wigan Flashes hoping to see the Temminck’s Stint reported early on. It was raining when I arrived and the place was deserted. A large (by the standards of this year) flock of House Martins (90 or so) were feeding along the canal and around 300 Swifts were feeding over Horrock’s Flash.

I scanned the pool numerous times, moving down the canal and viewing from different vantage points. There were several Common Terns in the Black-headed Gull flock with at least three incubating. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin were also there. Running out of time I headed back up the canal and stopped briefly to look at an Oystercatcher which had just flown in. There in front of it was the Temminck’s Stint. With the scope of high zoom I managed to get very good views of this tiny wader – probably the best I have had of this species. I did then run of time.

Tuesday 17th May

I bagged my third good wader in three days today in the form of the Hoylake Broad-billed Sandpiper. But what a run around.

I arrived at the end of the beach with the weather threatening to rain heavily. A few birders were also present with no sign of the little tinker. Ian Woosey also rolled up. Ian and I began walking along the front, stopping to scan the numerous Dunlins which were spread out over a large area. There was no sign but a couple of Sanderlings gave us a bit of variation. Sid Ashton then appeared and told us that the best place to see it was behind the tennis courts (info gleaned from local expert with bird observatory overlooking the bay) before zooming off. Ian and I headed off in that direction before Ian stopped for a loo break while I continued on.

I arrived at the good viewing point to find lots of Dunlin and Sid already there. However a Peregrine appeared and spooked all the Dunlin. They flew off out and then back down where I had started from, leaving the beach in front of us empty! I decided to walk back to let Ian know and then go and get my car which was by now well over 1 mile away. I left Sid looking after my scope. I found Ian and several other birders by the shelter back past the coast guards watching the Broad-billed Sandpiper! I had some good views through Ian’s scope and then continued on to my car before zooming off to tell Sid.

I got to where Sid was and gave him the news. Loaded my scope into the car and turned round to find us blocked in by a work crew who were tarmaccing the road. We had an impatient wait and then drove back to the shelter. Just as I was parking up the phone went and I thought “that’s Ian ringing to tell me it’s flown”. I was right. Ian left fro Frodsham and Sid and I carried on watching. At one point one guy apparently got the bird in his scope and then let Sid, who was next to him, have a look. In that brief moment it disappeared again and was not relocated until much later that day. Well at least I saw it…..but I felt for Sid. Fortunately he is a persistent bugger and went back and got it later in the week.

Wednesday 18th May

Working away today. Started and finished work early and headed over to Weeting Heath afterwards. I don’t know why I bothered – it was tipping it down. On the plus side, sitting in a hide in the rain is still better than sitting bored in a hotel room.

The target birds didn’t show for a while and then three Stone Curlews appeared with one having a fly around. They briefly met up and then disappeared. Earlier while sitting in the hide I heard a falcon calling and then watched two Hobbies flying around in front of the hide. Later I had a walk through the pine forest opposite, hoping to find some Woodlarks in the clearings. Nothing doing, though I did keep seeing 2 Hobbies (presumably the same birds) and was slightly bemused to find several Yellowhammers and a Red-legged Partridge in the middle of the forest.

Thursday 19th May

Drove back up the M40 today and had a count of 34 Red Kites from the car – one of the better counts.

Went to Rixton on the way home. The two Common Terns are still on Moat Lane pool 2 with one bird (presumably the male) bringing fish to the incubating bird. Three Little Ringed Plovers (one on each pool and one on the tip pool) and a pair of Canada Geese with 4 goslings provided interest. As I drove around the mosses I found 2 late Wheatears in Prospect Lane and a male Yellow Wagtail in Holly Bush Lane. I also drove through Culcheth – 2 Corn Buntings were on the usual wires and a Yellow Wagtail flew over the field here.

At HGF this evening there were 19 Swifts over the water – by far the highest count here this spring and yet not a patch on the usual hundreds I usually see at this time of year. It is note worthy that United Utilities have dropped the water level quite considerably and the usual insect swarms around the banks are almost completely absent. Conservation at its best!

I did see the local pair of Kestrels taking food into the nest box and thought I heard a youngster inside begging for food. A single LRP and a pair of Grey Partridges were also seen. Male Yellowhammer in the garden this evening.

Friday May 20th

HGF quiet this morning. At lunch I visited Rixton. Common Terns still doing their thing while the Lesser Whitethroat rattled away. One of the Shelducks was on pool 1 while three pairs of Lapwings with a crèche of 11 youngsters were on the tip pool. The pool has been largely drained which is probably the only thing keeping these guys alive – the tip gulls are visiting elsewhere for their baths! A pair of Yellow Wagtails were at the bottom of Holly Bush Lane and singles of Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer on Woodend Lane.

Late evening I took Bill to Newton Lake. I was somewhat surprised to find 2 immature Shelducks feeding on the pool and a Cormorant perched on a floating traffic cone while drying its wings. First time I have seen either of these species here. The usual crew were in residence – it’s slightly sad to see the old Pen is still on her own after the death of her mate during the winter. A single drake Teal and 3 Gadwalls were at the back.

You win some, you lose some....

Photos:

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Frodsham Marsh. Awful record shot in wind and rain.

Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin at Bowness.

Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit at Morecambe.

Thursday 12th May

After work today I visited a very windy Rixton. The Lesser Whitethroat sang briefly and a distant Cuckoo was heard. Seem to be almost tripping over Cuckoos at the moment. The Shelduck pair were present on the tip pool and I found a single Wheatear in Holly Bush Lane. One Common Tern was incubating while the other loafed about on pool 1.

HGF was practically dead with a single House Martin (the first here this year I think) the only bird worth reporting.

Friday 13th May

Had a wander around the old training camp in Glazebrook at lunch. There were lots of singing warblers and I also saw a Jay and a female Cuckoo flitting about. Two Oystercatchers flew over the garden today.

Saturday 14th May

This morning I headed north for my first visit to Bowness. Instead of headingt straight for the skua watch point, I spent some time scanning the shingle between Bowness and Port Carlisle, looking for the Broad-billed Sandpiper. There were eventually at least 30 birders looking for it and one local confirmed he had seen it early on am. However there was nothing doing. It was interesting sifting through the mixed flock of 800+ Dunlin and 300+ Ringed Plover. The former seem to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes including some very whitish looking individuals. There has been lots of chatter recently about Dunlin races – as far as I can see you are on a hiding to nothing trying to pigeon hole a particular bird into one of these races. A Turnstone and a couple of Sanderlings were also welcome.

At the skua point I rolled up just as the regulars were leaving with disgusted looks and mutterings about bugger all and the wind too westerly. I did give it a go but saw nothing. To aggravate the situation, I found out that Radio One were doing some kind of road show in Carlisle which completely clogged up all the roads and severely delayed my journey back.

Late afternoon I took Bill for a walk by the river at Halton. It was windy and the river was well up so not much about – a single Dipper was seen.

Sunday 15th May

Headed off to Heysham first thing for a sea watch over the incoming tide. I plonked myself down and virtually the first bird I saw was a skua. As soon as I saw it I thought Pom – it passed a Herring Gull which gave good size comparisons. Unfortunately it was just a bit too far to be 100% certain and it didn’t come any closer. Another birder also saw this bird and had the same impression as me but erred on the side of caution. Soon after a dark morph skua was seen flying directly away from me – I never got a good side-on look and this one went unidentified, as did the next very distant dark morph skua. They were both probably Arctics but you never know. I then got onto a close in pale morph Arctic Skua. Also seen on the sea watch were at least 25 Gannets, a blogging Red-throated Diver, 3 Eiders and a single Sandwich Tern.

I then headed off to Morecambe to check out the groynes. Typically at the moment there was little on the groynes until the top end. At Scalestone Point I found 4 Whimbrel and 7 Eider while a large congregation at Teal Bay produced 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and a further 19 Whimbrels.

Early afternoon it was whizzing it down so we left the van and headed home. I quickly zoomed off to Frodsham where a Buff-breasted Sandpiper had been reported. I parked up at the bottom of No.6 tank in the rain and headed up the path while numerous grinning birders passed me heading in the opposite direction. Fortunately the bird was still present and was feeding with a Ringed Plover. Riggers, Mike Chorley and John Rayner were there watching it and put me onto the bird. It was great to see the bird even though the conditions were atrocious. The structure of the bird was interesting – it looked to me like two mounds of dough with the smaller stuck at the end of the larger and 2 sticks for legs! When it stood up it looked avery smart bird though. At one point Karen rang me – after I had finished chatting I looked up to find John et all had gone and so had the bird! Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers plus an Avocet were also seen and a Cuckoo as I walked back down the path.

Bittern Bonanza

Photos:

Cuckoo, Whitehtroat and Bittern at Shapwick Heath plus a view of the pool from Decoy Hide with Glastonbury Tor in the background

Tuesday 10th May

On my travels and after work I headed over to the Shapwick Heath area. I always immediately chill out when visiting this place. I walked down the causeway to Noah’s Hide, collecting good birds as I went. The first thing I picked up was a calling Cuckoo, and then another and then another and then a fourth! 33 Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the mud patch at Meare Heath and a couple of Little Egrets were seen flying over the reed beds. Cetti’s Warblers were very vocal with 5 singing birds heard and numerous other warbler species.

I heard two booming Bitterns at Meare Heath and then a third Bittern at Shapwick in the corner near Noah’s Hide. I sat in Noah’s Hide and literally a few minutes later the heavens opened and it became very, very wet outside. I could see some rustling in the reed bed in front and slightly to the right of the hide. Eventually through the bins I could see a Bittern walking through them. Not the boomer which I could still hear. It disappeared and then reappeared and then flew across a small stretch of water to the reeds slightly to the left of the hide.

Thinking that was probably the Bittern show over I scanned the far side of the lake and spotted another Bittern lift out of the reeds on the far side and head over towards the Decoy Hide. I looked up again and two Bitterns were flying from near the hide and off across the water to the far side. Was one of these either the boomer or the bird I saw earlier. No and no as the boomer started up again and the first flying bird hopped back across the small stretch of water. Then the two birds I had seen returned back across the lake and began circling the reed beds, all the while making a noise between a gull and a strangled Crow! Another Bittern was later spotted flying along the far side of the pool. That made six Bitterns here and the two heard at Meare Heath!!!

Because of the rain there was no Hobby activity though when the rain ceased I did find 4 birds perched in a tree and a fifth in a nearby tree. A sixth flew over the back of the pool and then another birder spotted three flying fast past the left of the hide – I only saw the last of these. A female Marsh Harrier also entertained, flying around the pool edge.

I later headed off to Ham Wall. Here the Bittern fest continued. Four booming birds were detected in various corners of the reed beds. While walking along the path another two flew over and circled (I could still hear all the boomers at this point and then a third flying bird lifted out and headed off towards Shapwick. Seven Bitterns here! One stretch of hedge here contained three Garden Warblers while I also detected 9 Cetti’s Warblers including some good sightings for a change. I also had another three Cuckoos.

Near dusk I headed back but diverted past Catcott Lows, a nearby nature reserve. From the hides there was nothing on the pools so I headed off down the track towards Catcott Heath.

Among the numerous warblers here were 3 Garden Warblers, 2 Cetti’s Warblers and a reeling Gropper. A Bittern was also booming here in the small reed bed. That made 16 Bitterns seen / hear today – amazing!!! The day was rounded off by three male Cuckoos seeming to appear from nowhere and launch into a singing competition and as I drove off I spotted a Little Owl on a fencepost. On Days Like These…..

Wednesday 11th May

After work today I went to a reserve called Westhay Moor. It’s not far from Shapwick but the habitat (and the birds) are quite different. Here the pools are largely fringed with Willow and much less expanse of phragmites. There were numerous warblers calling with at least 18 Willow Warblers heard singing. A Little Egret flew over and 3 different male Cuckoos called from various parts of the reserve – one was seen well. At one of the hides I was watching an empty pool when a Hobby appeared and treated me to a display of hunting. I later saw two different birds, one a fly over and the other showing very well. Plenty of Swifts overhead too.

Next I wandered over to Shapwick and headed in from the opposite direction than usual. The two entrances to the causeway are around 1.5 miles apart so I didn’t get anywhere near the places I visited yesterday. I wandered down to Decoy Hide and watched from there, however it suddenly seemed to be quiet. A flock of 33 Black-tailed Godwits flew over heading north – I wonder if these were heading for Westhay which is roughly in that direction. Another birder who then arrived told me to get on to a raptor he had seen in the distance. Viewing it through my scope I realised it was a Bittern coming towards us. As it passed over I realised it was climbing higher and heading off to the north – maybe following the Blackwits. A second Bittern started booming in the nearby reedbed. On the way back to the car a Tawny Owl started calling, seemingly from somewhere deep in the reeds! Also I picked up no fewer than seven singing Garden Warblers, none of which had uttered a peep when I walked by the first time! A Little Egret also flew over near dusk in the direction taken by the Blackwits and Bittern.

Mooching around the local area

Photos:

Oystercatchers, Tufted Ducks, Little Ringed Plovers at Moat Lane pools, Rixton

Corn Bunting, Rixton Mosses

Common and Black Terns plus Common Gull, Seaforth

Blue Tit and Stock Dove at Pennington Flash

Tuesday 3rd May

Had a wander to Pennington this afternoon. Don’t know why – I think it was just somewhere different to go. Three Black Terns and a couple of 2cy Little Gulls were the highlights along with Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper. I did see lots of Stock Doves around the reserve with at least 17 birds seen. In the evening I took Bill for a walk around HGF. A pair of Black-necked Grebes were present – they are not usually seen here in this late Spring / early Summer gap. A few of their larger Great Crested cousins were the only other birds of note.

Wednesday 4th May

Early wander to HGF this morning on a nice, sunny day. There seemed to be a bit of life around the place with two Common Sandpipers bobbing around the edge of the pool, 3 Oystercatchers and 3 Grey Herons plus a lone Swift. The only water birds were 6 Great Crested Grebes.

Visited Rixton this afternoon. The highlight was a Common Sandpiper on Moat Lane pool 1 – an uncommon bird here. Four Oystercatchers and a Little Ringed Plover were also here while the Common Terns were still on the pool next door. The mosses were relatively quiet though a couple of Wheatears and three Grey Partridges were found in Holly Bush Lane.

Thursday 5th May

I managed to nip over to Seaforth after work. It was raining and ultimately very quiet with most of the terns off away from the reserve. I spent most of my time watching the lone Black Tern flying around in front of the hide. Four Sandwich Terns had joined the 30+ Common Terns still present and a Yellow Wagtail called as it flew over my head while I walked back to the car. At HGF this evening in the rain a single Black-necked Grebe was sleeping amongst the 13 Great Crested Grebes and a Little Ringed Plover ran around the muddy fringe.

Friday 6th May

I had a thorough session around Rixton this afternoon, concentrating particularly on warblers. The following were seen / heard around Moat Lane and the mosses:

16 Whitethroat
1 Lesser Whitethroat (in same place as last year)
10 Willow Warbler
4 Chiffchaff
4 Blackcap
1 Garden Warbler (same place I heard it last year)

On Moat Lane pools were a Little Ringed Plover, an Oystercatcher and a Redshank with the Common Terns still incubating and Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear on the mosses.

I also had a mooch around the old training camp in Glazebrook. This place looks good for all sorts of birds and I didn’t go everywhere. I did find a Garden Warbler and a Cuckoo. On the way through Culcheth there were 3 Corn Buntings on the wires and a Yellow Wagtail at Frank’s Farm. Late evening in the rain produced singles of Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover at HGF.

Saturday 7th May

Early morning visit to HGF in the rain. 2 Common Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover comprised the wader line up while a pair of Grey Partridges, 2 Swifts and a pair of Reed Buntings provided other interest. Had a wander over to Rixton later. At the top of Holly Bush Lane is a field mown low, much like a lawn (presumably a turf field). The lawn was dotted around with little brown jobs and closer inspection revealed a mixed finch flock with at least 58 Linnets and 16 Goldfinches. A Stoat also ran across the lane nearby. A pair of Yellow Wagtails and a Yellowhammer were picked up further down the lane while the Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were still singing in Moat Lane. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers were on Moat Lane pool 2 and a second pair on the tip pool. Common Terns still present.

Sunday 8th May

I spent several hours this morning in the rain looking for a long gone Iberian Chiffchaff. Enough said. At Rixton there were still a few Linnets and Goldies on the “lawn” plus 3 Wheatears further down. Three Little Ringed Plovers and a Redshank joined the terns on Moat Lane pools.

At HGF this evening, while dodging the showers I noticed a small bird out in the middle of the pool. It was a Little Grebe – rare here at this time of year and very unusual to see it alone and out in the middle. They almost always stick close to the pool edge here. Also of note was the Mute Swan SYS who appeared back but without his mate. One Common Sandpiper and four Little Ringed Plovers wandered along the edge while three Buzzards soared above the pool.

Monday 9th May

Had a wander over to Newton Marsh after work hoping to see the Temminck’s Stints. The light was harsh and views difficult and almost predictably there was no sign of the target birds (they did show up after I left!). It was interesting to see British Black-tailed Godwits which breed here and a couple of Curlew Sandpipers made up for the absent stints.

Two Black-necked Grebes on HGF today. I have also identified three Whitethroat territories here this spring – up from the usual two. There is a distinct lack of suitable habitat to three singing males is quite good. At Rixton this evening a Greylag had joined the four Mute Swans on Moat Lane pools while Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler both sang well.