May 2nd 2011

The wind is still a major factor with gusts up to nearly 40mph at the pond today bringing in 3 Black Tern who joined 2 adult and one first summer Little Gull. Unfortunately apart from 60 Swift over draycote bank there was little else to enjoy.
Passerines are difficult to locate in the wind so Dave, Colin and I only heard Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler while checking out a disused railway cutting at Stockton managing 2 Grizzled and 2 Dingy Skippers plus 2 Treble Bar and a possible Green Hairstreak but the wind got hold of it before our eyes could focus. A few orchid plants just emerging but have some growing to do before we can enjoy them.
Dave had domestic duties in the afternoon so I scrounged a lift and spent it sheltering from the wind sitting in the hides at Rutland Water, Leicestershire enjoying a wader fest with at least 4 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Turnstone, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Sanderling plus Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Dunlin. On the way home called in on Eyebrook Reservoir to see the Slavonian Grebe.

Richard