April 13th 2011

Though it was a cold and cloudy day the wind had dropped when Bob and I first arrived at the pond with a Common Sandpiper seen by the fishing pontoon but unfortunately disturbed by one of the sailing brigade boy racers on a rescue boat which also flushed a Turnstone that flew towards the north shore.
On farborough bank there were 2 Wheatears which from the back look liked females but one was a late developing immature male showing adult facial pattern but still retaining a brown mantle. At least 8 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Meadow Pipits were around with a very smart Blue-headed Wagtail found by Bob and a Common Tern out in the centre.
The wind picked up by the time we reached toft bay and we just made it to the hide as the rain came in. There was nothing of note in toft bay as I walked back but could see Bob enjoying the company of 12+ Brambling which could be seen flitting from tree to tree on the north shore from toft bank.

Yellow Wagtail
By the time I got back to the fishing pontoon it was swarming with people getting the place ready for the fishing season which will be starting soon. The rain had brought down more Yellow Wagtails with at least 29 present including the Blue-headed and also seen today were Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 7 Buzzard, 300 Sand Martin, 10 House Martin, 50 Swallow, 9 Graylag, 4 Barnacle Goose and a Red-legged Partridge. Two early broods of Mallard chicks (4 and 8) seen.

Bob did well to get this image of a Sparrowhawk briefly perched partially hidden by foliage.

Richard