Evening Dip

A return to Mutford Close, I saw Andrew E. and Rob Wil. who had seen the Hoopoe 5X in flight up to 6.10pm, (I was back there at 6.15pm) during a brief sunny spell, the bird had been calling but typically it had stopped calling and didn't show in the sunny spell that lasted all of 10 minutes before black cloud rolled in again with rain and I left again at 6.50pm. Before I left I did see a Great- spotted Woodpecker fly onto a feeder but then it flew off again.

Spring dipping sequence continues

On 13th May, rather appropriately , my annual spring dipping sequence is now reaching epic proportions, just after 3.20pm I arrived at Lakeland Drive/ Mutford Close no sign in 2 hours looking and was drenched twice having to endure worsening conditions with squally showers. A Marsh Harrier flew overhead and north-east.

Hoopoe no show

On Monday 11th May, a look directly after work for a Hoopoe along Lakeland Drive and nearby Normanston Park proved fruitless as there was no sign and an early rain shower made my mind up and I left!

Missed the RFF again!

I have missed a lot of birds this spring and the Carlton Marshes RFF is no exception, despite being there, 9.30- 2.15pm, this was the first time the RFF wasn't seen during the 10-2pm period seen it first arrived. Around 20+ Hobbies flew over Peto's catching dragonflies and other insects. as I walked up to the Moorings hide, a Greenshank flew west over the river, calling as it went and appearing to settle on the western end of Peto's. A Painted Lady was also feeding on the clump of yellow flowers by the path. Bitterns were also seen in flight twice, one landing in reeds fairly close to us. 5 marsh harriers and 5 Buzzards seen too. Matthew D. joined us and when we left we saw first a male and the another Wall Brown in flight. The male was seen perched several times. Walking back 5 Sand Martins flew over the track.

A fine summer plumaged Knot

On Friday 8th May, immediately after work, a fine summer plumaged Knot was seen on the jetty/ finger at Ness Point in full brick reddish-brown summer plumage. Initially, it was right at the far end of the finger, in company with 2 Turnstone, 1 in full breeding plumage. but all 3 birds gradually worked there way closer being half way along, feeding all the time, it seemed they would come even close but before unfortunately, a Feral Pigeon flew in and spooked them causing them to fly back to the end of the finger again. Also up to 15 Kittiwake seen flying south, several close in.

First House Martin & evening dips

On Thursday 7th May retrieving my optical gear to go for the Bee-eaters, immediately after work, I saw a fine House Martin fly over the back garden, my first of the year, a frustrating evening followed with dipping all around (no Bee-eaters, BW Kite or RFF).

Swallow over front garden and visit to Carlton Marshes

On Tuesday 5th May, as I walked to the car at 8.05am and was greeted by the lovely song of a lovely Swallow was flying low and west over the front garden calling as it went. In the evening, I tried to see the RFF at Carlton, I saw Rob H. and a distant LGRE (who tweeted no sign of any Hobbies or RFF in a search between 1.30-7.30pm) it was a no show, but I did see a fine Hobby perched on a dead tree at the tea garden at Fisher Row. A Grey Heron flew in too. We saw Barry B. on the way back too.