May 29th 2008

Another damp and mild night filling my trap with goodies, still trying to identify some of them but the day broke warm and dry and it wasn't long before blue skies appeared and that yellow orb thingy started shining - so it was off to the pond for 9am. A couple of Dunlin flew across reservoir to vanish but 2 Common Sandpipers were tracked down to biggen bay and about 9:30 three Oystercatchers could be heard calling and were picked up over the sailing club and then watched as they spent some time circling looking for somewhere suitable to rest, not sure how they were doing but were seen in flight when I left at 12:30. This warm weather had the warblers out feeding and tho many are now nesting and not in full song managed to find Willow, Sedge 2,and Garden Warbler 3 along with Blackcap and Whitethroat 4. Hobby was over the entrance again with another reported in biggen bay along with a Cuckoo, Swift numbered only 50+, Common Tern 4, Green Woodpecker 2, Buzzard 5 and a Kingfisher in toft bay. Butterflies seen were Peacock, Large White, Small White and Brimstone.
Back home putting my bedding plants in I had Buzzard overhead followed by Hobby with butterflies represented by Comma, Small White and Brimstone. Out again later with Dave "quailing" and if the weather holds up then a mothing night beckons.
STOP PRESS - 1605. Just finished on the computer and went in to kitchen for a brew and there in front of me about 100ft up and 150 yards away was a Red Kite just floating past heading east being mobbed by I presume the same Hobby I had seen earlier - bring it on - magic.

Richard