LDV Patch Birding

Had a lazy morning, local dog walk was made up of lots of singing migrants - which seemed a bit bizarre given how cold it was! First bit of sunshine since last Saturday morning probably had something to do with it! Also found Sparrowhawk and Great Spotted Woodpecker nests which was cool. Also had Swift over the house/garden for the first time this year.

After lunch I spent 45 minutes in the Geoff Smith hide at NDC, however it was pretty quiet. There was 10 distant Black-tailed Godwit and there was also 5 Greenshank (2 close to the hide and 3 far from the hide). Didn't see any Whimbrel and there was again no sign of the Bar-tailed Godwit. Several Sedge Warblers gave really good views. There was also 2 Great Crested Grebe on the floods on the reserve and 4 Oystercatcher.

Mid-afternoon I took a quick local walk which resulted in some really nice views of a couple of Tree Pipit. The first sat out in the open on a dead branch and the second hunkered down in a leafy bush. I managed to grab a couple of record shots on my phone though they are not the best as I was obscured by the vegetation between the path and the birds. Also had Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler showing well and Green Woodpecker and Cuckoo were heard too. Several Swallow flew through.

Male Tree Pipit (Phone-scoped) 

Male Tree Pipit (phone-scoped) 

Male Tree Pipit (phone-scoped) 

Tree Pipit (phone-scoped) 

Tree Pipit (phone-scoped)

A 30 minute spell at Geoff Smith this evening was very quiet with no sign of any Greenshank but the 10 Black-tailed Godwit were still present (very distant) and the Grebes were still there too. A Cuckoo was heard calling. Again, no Whimbrel but there was several House Martin and Swallows about.