March 24th 2009

Down the pond by 7:30am with Rock Pipit and male Wheatear on toft bank before they were kicked around and the elusive Red-necked Grebe in toft bay and 3 Great-northern Divers out in centre. Spent two hours in the country park watching the valley with female Merlin a few Stock Dove and 16 Sand Martin overhead along with my first Swallow of the year which is my second earliest arrival date I have recorded here. Also seen were 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 20 Wigeon, 6 Goldeneye and 3 Buzzard.
The café had a Hebrew Character and Twin-spotted Quaker moth.
FISHING SEASON Starts tomorrow.
On a more positive note I’m leading another birding walk on Thursday afternoon starting at 2pm – its free – just hope the wind dies down.
Two Red Kites reported near Lawford Heath heading towards pond and the Hen Harrier was seen from the Basealy small holding along the flecknoe road this afternoon.

Richard