Monday 28th March

Finally managed to fit in a visit, as mentioned previously I have been rather busy with one thing and another, plus I have had a bad cold that has knocked me about.

Today I fancied a bit of fresh air, so Joy dropped me off at the Reservoir where I bumped into Bobby D, Dave Hutton and girlfriend. There were around 180 Sand Martin and at least three Swallow which where new for the year, after a quick chat I decided to make my way around. Two Oystercatcher flew through but there was little singing with the strong wind and showers keeping the birds low. In fact I saw very little during the rest of my visit.

This evening Joy and I took another walk around, it was a fine evening and the wind had dropped. There were still a good number of Sand Martin although I couldn’t find Swallow. Five Goosander dropped in and there was a single Pochard. A Raven flew low over the Reservoir and was escorted the whole way by a couple of Carrion Crows. We had brief but good views of a Kingfisher and there was a little bit more action on the passerine front, with Nuthatch and Coal Tit singing away.

Too Busy

I have been way too busy for birding over the last couple of weeks but other people – notably Steve Haynes and Bobby Deckhouse have had success with Sand Martin and Swallow being seen by SH. BD had Redshank and Brambling.

Hopefully I should be able to find some time with the Spring migration starting.

Thursday 10th March

Managed to get over the Reservoir this afternoon, but it was very quiet. The Pochard numbers have dropped to c.20 but the Wigeon flock (five birds) were still present.

The only birds of note I encountered were a couple of Siskin, where the other hundred or so have got I have no idea. Off to Norfolk for the weekend, then hopefully there might be a bit of movement with Sand Martins starting to move through by mid-March.

Hopefully the Spring might be a bit better than last year, but I’m not holding my breath!

Thursday 3rd March – Middleton Lakes RSPB

Busy in the house at the moment with one thing and another, so for the first time this week I managed to devote myself to a mornings birding.

I dropped Joy off at work and proceeded to Middleton Lakes RSPB. On arrival there was a Water Rail under the feeders and that was joined by a single Lesser Redpoll and three Grey Squirrels which where hogging the feeders as they do!

I made my way towards the main reserve, and as I passed what I call the “Silt Pool’” me and the Great White Egret made eye contact, unfortunately I was taken by surprise and the bird took off and headed off in the direction of the main reserve, needless to say I never saw it again. I met another birder who had arrived at 7am and he said it was on the same pool. So maybe thats where it starts the day.

On the main reserve there were all the usual suspects with a very nervy Golden Plover flock that did not what to settle. There were two Ringed Plover but an intermittent drizzle started and it was cold, so I went to the hide, there was little to be seen there so I made my way to the field by the canal where the Pink-footed Goose had been reported. I scanned the field but failed to locate the bird. With the weather not looking like it was going to improve I started to make my way back as a small group of around 30 geese flew in, one was obviously smaller and I thought Pink-foot, I picked my bins up and was a little surprised to see a Egyptian Goose! Oh well at least I got a year tick out of it.