March 16th 2010

There’s has been a trickle of summer migrants arriving in the country over the last few days and with the wind abating and turning to the south west Bob and I were full of anticipation when we arrived at the pond for our first summer migrants.
Before arriving we gave the Grandborough Valley a quick look as two Med Gulls had been found yesterday afternoon feeding on recently sprayed slurry but nothing noted among the 300 Common Gulls this morning but we did have the bonus of a Raven going past very close plus Linnets, Skylarks and Yellowhammers on territory.
Unfortunately we missed the ponds first summer migrant when a Sand Martin was reported off draycote bank but on our walk to toft and back in lovely sunshine with hardly a breeze we managed, 2 Great-northern Diver, 5 male Shoveler, 6 female and single male Goosander, Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher, Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 30 Goldeneye, 48 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 3 Fieldfare, Redwing and very good numbers of Buzzard with at least 20 seen. Also my first Peacock butterfly of the year.
Back at the visitors centre Kevin G had photographed a possible female Scaup off draycote bank which did not look bulky enough to me but Bob persuaded us to walk out to rainbow corner to check it out and it was a good job he did as it was close in shore and definitely a Scaup. Nice one Kev.


female Scaup by Bob Hazell
A brief look at Napton reservoir produced 4 Wigeon and not a lot else till Bob shouted out Red Kite with one drifting over the Shuckburgh hills being harassed by a Jackdaw. Raven seen later.
Another check on the valley produced 100 Fieldfare between Napton and Shuckburgh and plenty of Buzzards and Common Gulls but no sign of any Meds.

The Grey Shoulder-knot from the previous night was retrapped giving Bob another chance of a pic.

Back home and news of a lot more migrants arriving in to the country today so the next few days should be good - fingers crossed.

Richard