Waberthwaite Cumbria

 Rising , Falling , High and Low Tides are a rare sight  for an inland birder but when you get the chance to sit on the side of a tidal estuary and watch the day go by its a real treat. 3 Black tailed Godwits flew just above the river north soon followed by a flock of Pied Wags stopping briefly on the shingle shore to feed on the edge of the tidal flow. There were two White Wagtails in with them a cracking adult summer and an adult still in winter plumage with smooth grey cap. Red breasted Merganser were nosily displaying in the open water. A male Whinchat popped up on to a small tuft of juncus and a couple of Wheatear showed briefly  .5 Buzzards soared over and up to 5 Little Egrets came down to feed ,  a couple in breeding plumage (pink feet an all) .
  I could pick up the calls of Oystercatcher and redshank from the far bank then Whimbrel calling and Greenshank and 3 Little Ringed plover were in display mode . A group of 8 Shelduck flew over soon followed by a flock of Pinkfeet the last till the winter no doubt. Whimbrel were quite close feeding in the mud and up to 7 Common Sandpipers were feeding as well. AS the tide turned the last of the winter ducks came out to feed 11 Goldeneye , 2 Teal , 6 Goosander and the sky filled with Sand Martins , a couple of House Martins and 10 Swallow .A quick look at the mouth of the estuary produced 2 Sandwich terns and a Red Throated Diver feeding close to the shore.5 Ringed Plover were searching the tide line........

Donna Nook

                                                Brown Tail Cats

                                                     Yellow Wagtail
 The first birds I saw was a flock of 37 Avocet flying over the new flood plane a fantastic bit of habitat creation.2 Short eared  Owl were hunting the marsh , a couple of peregrines were hunting the salt marsh.3 Willow Warbler , 3 Whitethroat , 2 Wheatear in the scrub and  Swallows , House /Sand Martins were heading north  and a few Yellow Wagtails also north. A Marsh Harrier was kicking around and a Hen Harrier showed briefly over the marsh. 6 Brent Geese over and about 500 + Seals were on a large sand bank.

16th and 17th .April.2016

16th ....Had a walk round the local fields and did not have one summer migrant.?? Buzzards showed well and at least 10 Linnets have moved in feeding on the new dandelion. Very cold wet....
17th First singing Blackcap , a few Chiffchaffs , 2 Swallows and a Singing Nuthatch.....

Coveneham RES

Managed to get there before the midge swarms came out and was very pleased to find a first winter Little Gull flying around , Gadwall ,Shoveler , Widgeon , Shelduck , Swallow , Wheatear , Barn Owl singing Yellowhammer and plenty of Buzzards.one Brimstone butterfly and a small white also
   4 Sand Martin over the House  this afternoon.

Whooper Swans

12 Whooper Swans headed  west today just above tree height through the low mist and drizzle at  16.15.....

Norland Moor

Had an interesting walk around Norland Moor today but the weather was not in my favour and I ended up soaked to the skin... The area is very busy with the General Public and in particular dogs and dog walkers. You would think that with all the disturbance that little would breed up there , and if the area was managed a bit better who knows what might breed there.! There is a small colony of Lapwings ( 6 + pairs ) next to  the western edge and they can be herd calling , displaying and fighting off the local crow population most of the time and 2 Golden Plover were feeding in a field close by . At least 8 Willow Warblers were singing from the Birch trees and 2 Lesser Redpoll were feeding here also.
   The number of breeding Meadow Pipit (30 + pairs ( maybe double that?) ) is very encouraging for such a busy location. 3 pairs of Reed Bunting , 2 pairs Linnet and at least 10 pairs of Blackbird , 8 Wrens , 3 pairs Dunnock , 4 Robins , 2 displaying Pheasants ,.3 different Skylarks were seen collecting food / nesting material from the paths and at one point one burst into song. A Green Woodpecker was also seen on a number of occasions feeding in the heather and on the ground.!
There are lots of small pools and a couple of pairs of Mallard were flushed from cover.

Monday

2 Whatear at Shelf trailer park, Mute Swan and Coots nesting at Shibden and a Wheatear at Beacon Hill , with Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell on the wing ...

Lincolnshire

A good trip today with a Green Sandpiper , 2 Corn Bunting , 4 Little Egret  30 Yellowhammer ,1 juv Peregrine ,Little Owl and the bird of the day a cracking Yellow Wagtail .

BUZZARD MANIA

What a sight a 'Kettle ' of 8  Buzzards over the village today. Its difficult to know if they were movers or locals .? Another 15 sightings during the day of Buzzards around the village , 2 Swallows and a Chiffchaff also

OSPREY......MEGA Garden Tick

One flew north today at aprox 14.22 heading towards Queensbury and with a quick call to Bri he got it too.....Brilliant.... First Swallow as well

Sunday

7 Chiffchaffs , 1 Mute Swan ,17 Cormorants and 2 Common Buzzards at EGP.,,,,,,
2 Sand martin north , 4 Buzzards , 2 Siskin , 2 Sparrowhawk , Green and Great Spot Woodpecker ,Kestrel and Mistle Thrush at Northowram today..

Friday

Another bright morning with Siskin again heading north , (15 +2 + 2).Buzzards , Kestrel and Sparrowhawk showing well....................