Sightings

Main sighting: Northern Wheatear

Wheatear 7 males and 2 females, made up of 5 solo males and 2 pairs.

Main sighting: wood warbler

wood warbler heard late afternoon in both locations

Main sighting: Fieldfare

A surprise calling Fieldfare for my early BBS visit. My first Redstarts of the year plus one Swallow and singing Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers.

Main sighting: Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper at Machine Pond, briefly joined a Cormorant and pair of Canada Geese on the floating island – a very occasional passage visitor. One Swallow picking insects off the pond, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers singing.

Main sighting: Dipper

Three dippers “flirting” on the river.

Main sighting: Little Ringed Plover

2-LRPs on the shingle bank,before seeing them there must have been 50+ Sand Martins at the river bank prospecting nest holes.3-Goosanders(2f 1m),m+f Mandarin ducks,1m-White Wagtail,1-Common Sandpiper,further along the river more Sand Martins were seen but not in the numbers previously seen.Also one more LRP sighting which could have been a third bird or one of the two seen earlier.Also my first Orange Tip butterfly of the year and a flock of 17-Cormorants flying up river.11h15-13h50.

Main sighting: Wheatear

Three first on the tumble for the year. Pair of Wheatears several Stonechat and a male red start.

Main sighting: Osprey

Osprey reported by anglers this morning – heading north up river.

Main sighting: Curlew call

Heard curlew calling

Main sighting: Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher and 2 Tree Pipits

Main sighting: Redstart

Redstart

Main sighting: Red Grouse

8 Grouse seen or heard from the “grouse walk” at dawn. Also 2 Stonechat and several Skylarks