A morning visit to Staveley YWT Nature Reserve didn't produce the target Sedge Warbler, apparently the two birds present yesterday had departed overnight (or had finished singing for the day). This is a really nice little reserve and is ideally located for me as my wife's horse is located a few miles away, meaning I can drop her off for a ride while I have a stroll through the reserve for an hour or so. The place was crawling with Reed Bunting with lots of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap all showing really well. I also found a Chiffchaff building a nest which was cool. A flock of at least 120 Linnet was being harassed by a Sparrowhawk. A few Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrows were also seen. At least 5 Sand Martin were inspecting the nesting wall with Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Greylag Goose all noted on the water. Butterflies recorded included singles of Comma and Peacock.
An hour round the local patch this evening produced brilliant views of Species X which I watched for about an hour, other 'bits and pieces' included Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail, 2 singing Song Thrush, Blackbird (and nest), with the regular residents all recorded too. A pair of Sand Martin were recorded flying north, my first on the patch this year.
A walk past the patch pond produced excellent views of a pair of hybrid Mallard complete with 12 tiny ducklings, it will be interesting to see how many of these make it through the night/next couple of weeks.
Good number of linnet! Have seen similair numbers of yellowhammer there before. If you are a YWT member you can get a key for the first hide for a few pounds from Bob Evison.
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