Patchwatch

Much better today.  A stunning morning, but a bit too good I thought.  Blackcap were singing everywhere, hard to count but at least 15 birds around the reserve.  A Common Whitethroat sang from scrub opposite the paddocks with another along Path 13.  A Willow Warbler sang from the main path beyond the railway bridge and a Sedge Warbler was present at the north end with another that showed well in scrub next to the railway bridge by the reedbed.

Walking back along the wooden boardwalk, a smart male Northern Wheatear was flushed from the deck and settled on a pylon above the railway line.  It then returned, and hung around for about ten minutes.

Back towards the paddocks, there was a small flurry of Sand Martin with a group of five and four through.  Following shortly behind my first House Martin of the year dashing through.  A Yellow Wagtail then flew low over calling as if it had just alighted from the paddock.  May have missed it on the deck earlier.

At least five Speckled Wood were on the wing.

A Sparrowhawk and Kestrel completed the list from a good morning.

A short evening visit produced the same or maybe a new male Northern Wheatear, this time showing well in the front paddocks by the horse stables.  A distant Peregrine was seen and a Rook flew low over the paddocks.