Messingham Sand Quarries 02.05.11.

Another trip out to this superb reserve today,saw me adding a few more firsts for the year in the form of 3 Wood Sandpiper,Swift and Drake Garganey to my year list.Both the Wood Sands and Drake Garganey were watched feeding around the bottom islands at the far end of the main lake on the reserve and gave pretty good views,albeit a little distant,the Swift was watched hawking insects over the same lake along with a mixed flock of House and Sand Martins and Swallows.This now brings my yearlist total to a respectable 187.Other bird highlights were provided by a female Marsh Harrier and at least 6 Common Tern,with still good numbers of migrants present on the reserve.Butterflies seemed to also be in good numbers today,with the highlights being my first Brown Argus of the year and at least 3 Red Admiral.Another great visit to this super place.