Monday 22nd March - Afternoon

14:30 > 16:00
11c strong WSW wind. Rain, heavy at times.

A good, if not wet, wander around the perimeters today.
The highlight the first Swallow of the 'summer' out over the water alongside two further Sand Martins. (and on checking exactly the same date 22nd March, that first Swallow appeared last year)

Good buildup of Fieldfare with the odd Redwing thrown in on the slopes, numbering around 100 birds. Around this time last year the flock built up to several hundred in the bottom fields before they all but disappeared north overnight.

Pied Wagtails numbers increase around the site including a possible White Wagtail though not 100% certain to claim it as definite. (watch this space).

Pair of Shelduck back briefly before heading west.
Goosander numbers building, seven present late afternoon a group of one drake with a harem of four feamles around the mouth of the inlet while a more monogamous pair were out on the main body of water.
Also on the water two pair of Teal and single pair of Tufted Duck alongsige a solidarity Great Crested Grebe.

Wader wise just a pair of Green Sandpiper (one in the Inlet a second on Godwit Corner) and a single Lapwing were joined by a Little Egret in the shallows.

The now common Common Buzzard was as per usual sitting along the canal banking. Over on the Cosgrove side there were a couple of dozen Tufted Duck, six (three pair) of Pochard further Great Crested Grebe and a not too common here pair of Greylag Geese. On the River itself a squabbling flock of around fifty Canada Geese. Still good numers of Mute Swan in this area two and on the arable land heading up on the rise towards Castlethorpe, around 40 birds in total.

Gulls noticable by their absence today, just a pair of Common Gull sitting on what is rapidly becoming 'Wader South Central' once more.

Links:
AND ON THE SAME DATE IN 2009...