Post-Easter birding.

Hello

A subtle change in the weather from today onwards provides an opportunity for more migration action as the breeze swings north east and there is a mixture of weather systems around us. This should bring arrivals of terns, interesting gulls and waders and more interesting passerines too. The alarm bells are ringing for some anticipated summer arrivals already - what has happened to the Sand Martins this year? It seems that with year on year decreases, drought conditions in Africa and cold weather in the Mediterranean, the smallest of the hirundines is really struggling. Hopefully there will be a late arrival of these buzzy, busy little birds.

A drake Garganey was new in at Stanford Reservoir today and there was also a drake Mandarin Duck, a Green Sandpiper and three Oystercatchers. The Upton Country Park Wood Sandpiper was seen again today and at Earls Barton there was still a Bar-tailed Godwit on Hardwater Lake and at least three Arctic Terns on the Summer Leys reserve plus a Golden Plover and Little Ringed Plover. Nearby there was a Grasshopper Warbler and a Cuckoo singing at the back of Mary's Lake with two Egyptian Geese nearby at Wollaston Lock and a calling Cuckoo at Quarry Walk.

The female Ring-necked Duck was seen again at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits and three Great White Egrets were at Ditchford Pits on Higham Lake and the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve. A Marsh Harrier was on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits at about 12.50pm.

Congratulations go to Dave Jackson for winning this week's Birdguides Photograph of the Week award  with the Sparrowhawk and Snipe shot which is similar to Robin's image of the same incident which currently features on the header of this blog.

Regards

Neil M

A stunning close spring drake
Long-tailed Duck would be
a good and long-awaited
 county find!

Image courtesy of
Dave Jackson.

Arctic Tern.

Marsh Harrier courtesy
of Robin Gossage.