Osprey revisited........

31 Mar - Some further photos of yesterday's CWP Osprey - it initially passed over at medium height moving steadily north, then reappeared 45 minutes later at close quarters, mobbed by Crows and Lapwings, and hovered briefly, before finally disappearing to the east over South Cerney. A superb bonus sighting and one of those memorable magical moments. Photos JM.

Osprey!

30 Mar - A really excellent morning, the highlight being a superb Osprey that appeared over my head at Shorncote at 0945 - it appeared to continue north, but then reappeared 45 mins later going over heading east, perfect for the camera with the sun behind me (1-3). Also at Shorncote - 2 LRPs, 4 displaying Lapwings, 6 Snipe, a very early Sedge Warbler and 6+ Reed Buntings singing, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler.

Pit 74 held a good selection of waders - 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Curlews, a Ruff and a Redshank. Late afternoon I saw my first Swallow of the year, presumably a male as it had very long tail streamers, amazing to think it's new in from South Africa.

Liddington attempt 2.....

29 Mar - Another visit to Liddington, early morning before work.....I didn't see the male Ring Ouzel but it was seen briefly after I left. Good views again of Yellowhammers (1,2) and Corn Buntings in the early morning sun, and 100+ Fieldfares in several wary flocks (3,4). Photos JM.

Liddington

27 Mar - An evening visit to Liddington Hill, no Ring Ouzels but good views of c40 Corn Buntings (4-5) and c30 Yellowhammers (1-3), with several dozen Fieldfares (6) and 2 Redwings (7) as backup.

Wheatear on cue

25 Mar - My first Wheatear of the spring, a very smart male at Blakehill, appeared briefly on a fencepost then just as quickly disappeared again. There have been up to 7 at Blakehill in recent days. Also several Skylarks in song flight, and a couple of singing Chiffchaffs.

Sunset season

23 Mar - The sun has started setting towards the NW, in view from the house again, now we've reached the equinox, and will hopefully give some dramatic views over the next few months, this was last night at home.......

First LRP arrives, plus other waders.......

22 Mar - an early morning visit to Shorncote and pit 74, and my first Little Ringed Plover of the year (3-5) feeding on the gravel workings (my earliest ever date for this species). One of my favourite birds. Also at Shorncote - 8 Snipe on the flooded field, 4 Shelduck (8) having a territorial dispute, 2 Water Rails and a Cetti's Warbler singing, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Reed Buntings (1,2) and 2 Meadow Pipits (6,7) - and 20 Fieldfares flew N presumably on their migration. At pit 74, the 12 Black-tailed Godwits were still present in a compact group, along with a Curlew and 3 Goldeneye, while 150+ Sand Martins were feeding over the lake in the cold breeze. Photos JM.

Waterhay

21 Mar - A fine early morning before the showers arrived.....A visit to Waterhay and a nice chorus from the reedbeds and scrub, with 3 Cettis's Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 singing Reed Buntings. Pit 74 held an impressive 120+ newly arrived Sand Martins, but reduced numbers of duck, still including 43 Shoveler and a male Goldeneye. Elsewhere, the first Little Ringed Plover of the season was seen by Kim Milsom. Photos JM - 1.Great crested Grebe. 2.Buzzard. 3.Long-tailed Tit. 4.male Chaffinch 5.Sand Martin.

Birthday patch visit......

15 Mar - I fitted in a quick early morning birthday walk at Shorncote, time for thinking - a lovely fine morning, and amongst the chorus 6+ singing Reed Buntings (4), also 2 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs. A flock of Redwings (5) may be thinking of moving on to Scandinavia soon. Water Rails calling in the reeds and a wary flock of Teal (3) present as usual. A Song Thrush posed briefly for the camera (6). A single Sand Martin appeared briefly overhead.

Bowling Green Marsh, Devon......

14 Mar - A quick visit to Bowling Green Marsh, after my study day in Exeter, coincided with high tide, and gave good views of both Black (6) -and very smart Bar-tailed Godwits, and a good selection of other waders at the roost including Knot, Redshank and an elegant Spotted Redshank. 10 of the wintering Greeenshank gave good views from the screen overlooking their feeding area (1-5). Curlew and Dunlin also seen along with 9 Little Egrets. My first Sand Martins of the year flew north overhead. Photos JM.