Wheatears

Photos:

Wheatears and Linnet, Rixton Moss
Little Ringed Plover, Houghton Green Flash

March 30th

HGF was relatively quiet this morning though the appearance of six Sand Martins was very welcome. Otherwise not much doing.

This afternoon David Spencer picked up four Wheatears on Rixton Moss so after work I nipped round for a look. Four stonking birds were in the field opposite the farm and I also found  fifth in a field off Holly Bush Lane. I also found 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Reed Buntings and a couple of Yellowhammers. Moat Lane pools remain quiet and no sign of the Green Sandpiper though there were plenty of singing Chiffchaffs.

At the feeding station this evening were 40+ Tree Sparrows and 20 Yellowhammers.

March 31st

No Sand Martins at HGF this morning but I did find a Little Ringed Plover. The local Kestrel pair were busy inspecting their nest box and a Chiffchaff is still singing on the east side - I wonder if it will stay around?

At the feeding station were 45+ Tree Sparrows, 10 Yellowhammers, 2 Linnets, 2 Greenfinches, 2 Grey Partridges. In the field behind were two Oystercatchers - presumably the HGF birds.

Later on I drove over to Rixton to see if the Wheatears were still around. They were but no hoped for Ring Ouzel (one day maybe). All five Wheatears were in the same place as yesterday. The Prospect Lane birds were playing around the wood pile (always an attraction for them) and they gave superb views so i filled my boots on the digiscoping!