With the continuation of a Southerly air flow and some fairly decent weather conditions i headed for MSQ again today and it certainly proved a good choice.After meeting up with fellow birder Chris Atkin we had the fortune of seeing our only migratory eagle species.We were sat in the wader hide when all of a sudden all the birds present scattered in all directions,i then managed to spot the cause of their panic...a superb Osprey.We watched as it flew over the entrance to the sand works and continued steadily west being seen passing over the plantation and then sadly lost to view.Not the greatest views i have had of an Osprey,but beggars can't be choosers.We decided to look from the higher elevation of the duck hide just in case the bird reappeared again,but sadly it didn't.While we scanned the lake from our vantage point,several goodies were seen and included 3 Pink-footed Geese and a single White-fronted Goose,the Pinks probably being genuine wild birds,but the White-front is a feral bird and has been associating with the Greylag flock for a couple of years now.Two female Scaup were still present and a few hirundines which included 8 Swallow,10 Sand and 4 House Martin were hawking insects over the lake.A couple of first records for the year came in the form of 2 male Blackcap and 2 male Willow Warbler and straggling winter visitors still hanging on like the Scaup included a single Brambling,9 Redwing and 2 Siskin in the plantation.A few non bird highlights were seen today which included my first Comma of the year on the edge of the plantation and amphibians were well represented with about 25 Common Toad and a single female Smooth Newt.A cracking few hours again at this gem of a reserve.
 |
| Singing male Chiffchaff. |
 |
| Singing male Chiffchaff. |
 |
| Female Smooth Newt. |
No comments:
Post a Comment