We started off very well and the early morning rain provided grounded waders in the form of a Ringed Plover (new for the year) and a Dunlin. The rain also meant a couple of fly through Sand Martins made it onto the list, a species I really didn't think we would get today. A Mistlethrush by the water treatment works was also new for the year. Two Common Terns were also a nice surprise as they have not been hanging around at all this year. They were actually mobbing the plastic owl near the sailing club, which I found rather interesting as they are the only birds I have actually seen reacting to this bird deterrent so far. It may be the reason Common Terns have not stayed around as much this year as they have done in the past.
We racked up a good amount of species on patch in the morning and left to search other sites. Whilst we were away Tony Crisp saw a Peregrine over the Borrow Pit pool, a bird we didn't manage to see all day. In the evening we finished at the reservoir and managed to add Little Ringed Plover to the list.
The day was indeed long, and rather warm. We struggled to trudge from site to site picking off the one of two species each one would provide. Highlights from other sites were a Spotted Flycatcher and families of Ravens at two sites. At one site further north (thanks to some information from Kirsty) we saw Curlews and Tree Sparrows and a fly through Hobby. It is a real pleasure to see these birds locally and I'm very happy we managed to get them onto the long day count list.
We finished on a rather respectable 75 species, which is nine over our par score.
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| Ringed Plover, Painted Lady and Curlew courtesy and copyright of JFT |
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