Alive with Wheatear
Even up in the trees
Unusual visitor for the compound
1st back, Common Sandpiper
Pink Footed Goose
Then there were two
A decent morning on the weather front with early full cloud slowly breaking to let some sunshine through on a light but bitterly cold WSW>3 at 3 degrees.
Wheatears were all over the shop this morning with 21 counted just half way on the west bank and 8 on the east bank with a total of 29 but undoubtedly several more if I'd have spent time scoping further afield. My first returning Common Sandpiper appeared in the SE corner, one day earlier than my first last year, whilst 7 Redshank were present along with the usual Curlew, Lapwing and a single Common Snipe. Nothing in the air other than a Raven, Kestrel and several Meadow Pipits whilst a single male Stonechat was near the lagoon.
On my way out, the Pink Footed goose, that I saw on an earlier visit, had reappeared when surprisingly a second one appeared from behind the reeds. It would be nice to get a pair breeding here.
Not looking good for tomorrow with plenty cloud and a mix of rain, sleet and snow on a moderate to strong sou'westerly. Possibly improving p.m.
BS




