This morning Dave and I set out for our usual Sunday stroll around Morton Bagot. It turned out that we might have done better if it had been a Saturday stroll.
John Chidwick had attended yesterday, and I would say he did better than we did. Birds seen by John, but not by us included Little Egret, Shoveler, Shelduck, and Stonechat.
The weather has turned a little chillier, but this morning we still managed to log 15 singing Chiffchaffs. We wondered what the record was for the site, but I've since discovered it's 20, so we were well short.
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| Chiffchaff |
Never mind, it was still pleasant to be out and about. The Blackthorn blossom is well out and provides a nice backdrop to any birds willing to pose in front of it.
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| Robin |
There are still four Mute Swans present, although one of the immature birds has been replaced by an adult. The Avocets have gone missing from the flash field (John didn't see them either), but we were able to count 23 Teal, a Lapwing, and a Green Sandpiper which skulked behind rushes at the far end of the nearest flash.
The breeze was good for displaying raptors. We counted four pairs of Buzzards, a pair of Red Kites, and three Kestrels. One of the Kites appeared to be carrying something twig-like (or maybe an insect) in its bill, which was rather curious. Maybe an element of courtship?
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| Red Kite |
There can be little doubt that the pair plan to breed nearby. Arguably our highlight was a pair of Grey Wagtails which flew down the brook, we don't often see them here in spring.
Something of a slow news day I'm afraid.
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