Another rainy day.......

Hoverfly Sp.-Syrphus vitripennis.

Male Pheasant.

After dropping Trace at work i decided to spend the morning at Messingham Sand Quarries,by second home at this time of year and today,despite the weather the visit proved fruit full.Because of the showery conditions today,very few insects were observed,but several decent birds were seen.The first highlight  of which was my first Reed Warbler of the year,singing in the reedbed near the first dipping platform.He put on a nice show despite the cool conditions and later i recorded another 2 males on my walk around the remainder of the reserve.Also seen nearby,was another first of the year for myself,a pair of Common Tern watched mobbing 2 Oystercatcher on the tern raft on Grebe lake,with another pair later seen on the main lake.These are always great to see and particularly when taking part in this sort of behaviour.My third goodie of the morning,was my first Cuckoo heard singing,but unfortunately i didn't manage to find him.On my walk around the reserve,it was certainly apparent that there were a good number of Willow Warblers present,with me counting at least 18 singing males and i also recorded 5 singing male Blackcap and 8 singing male Chiffchaff.Other niceties around the reserve today included at least 3 pairs of Willow Tit,4 Common Buzzard and a female Mallard with a whopping brood of 14 ducklings.So an enjoyable morning was had today,despite the showers again.