16:30 > 17:30
Sunny, warm, fresh NE breeze. 20C
The water level was lowered slightly by an inch or two in the new area to aid working but the area was still filling up with birds, mostly gulls, almost exclusively BHG's, after work for the day had finished. The Green Sandpiper pair were also back in the pools here. Parties of Pied Wagtails and Goldfinches also flitted about the gravel attracting the attention of a passing Sparrowhawk and not to be outdone a Kestrel soon followed in, both failed to catch anything.
Out on the mud a lone Little Egret rested, whilst on the water itself yesterdays Shoveler pair remained.
Along Back Brook a juvenile Kingfisher was a pleasant suprise. Kingfishers were numerous in this area not so long ago, a daily tick, but this is the first i've seen in a while.
And just when i'm thinking all the action is confined to the waterside areas the highlight is on top of the hill. A pair of Common Redstarts, a male and female, along the ridge path leading from the farm buildings to the canal. The male was still in pristine plumage and quite active while the female just took and odd dart between path, fencing and bushes. A first for the site for me.
Common Redstart - Birdguides
Common Redstart - BTO
Common Redstart - Avibirds
Common Redstart - RSPB
Common Redstart - Wiki
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