August 24th 2010

Clear skies overnight meant there was a bit of movement this morning at the pond with the arrival in very strong westerly’s of adult Little Gull that did not stay long, Green Sandpiper in toft bay and adult Dunlin flying over. On the downside wader numbers and species were low with only 2 Little Ringed Plover and juvenile Dunlin on hensborough bank with at least 6 Common Sandpiper dotted around the reservoir. Because of the strong winds and threatening rain hirundines numbers were good with 300 Sand Martin, 200 house Martin and 150 Swallow joined by a good location count of 30 Swift for this time of year. Also seen were 3 Little Egret, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, Raven, Gadwall, Wigeon and 4 Yellow Wagtail.

Little Egret by Bob Hazell

A late afternoon trip over the county border to Daventry Country Park, Northamptonshire to see the Spotted Redshank that’s been present for a few days along with six of the 9 Green Sandpiper reported, then it was a quick trawl of the Grandborough Valley on the way home which produced 2 Golden Plover, 3 Buzzard and 2 Raven between Willoughby and Grandborough.

Congratulations to buddy Dave who is a Grandfather for the first time – the girlie fledgling has not been named as I go to press but no doubt she will have a birding list soon.

Richard