Windy Carrs....

After a mundane trip out late morning/early afternoon shopping,a few hours out locally at Bonby Carrs saw a few highlights being seen and a pleasant walk in the warm,but blustery conditions.After hearing some distant shots and a few scattered flocks of wildfowl appearing from the direction of Broughton Bridge,i picked up a flock of 24 Pintail,in with a few Shoveler and Teal heading towards the Carrs.The birds wheeled around for a while before settling in one of the remaining areas of water distantly in one of the pastures.This was a great sight to see down here and more significantly,the largest flock i have recorded on the Carrs.After watching the wildfowl i eventually reached the river and immediately saw a white rump and 'Peet weet' call as a Green Sand rose out of the Old Ancholme and passed over the Ancholme towards Appleby Carrs,not too bad a record for the time of the year.Other sightings added to the notebook included 6 Common Buzzard,at least 5 Kestrel,65 Fieldfare and a scattering of Yellowhammers and Goldfinch along the hedgerows.The only insect highlight seen was a single male Common Darter seen near to the Ancholme bank.A nice few hours out and about and a nice surprise with the Pintail sighting.