Similar Sunday

 Today was in many respects similar to last week with the weather following a familiar pattern of being brighter in the morning before becoming cloudier in the afternoon. Continuing with the deja vu theme I took exactly the same route as last Sunday to Deene and back. Once again there were no big surprises though I saw enough to justify the aches and pains caused by my walk.

Ringed plover and distant Sand Martin

Birding began almost straight away with a Grey Wagtail on the roof of the Cardigan Arms, this lockdown defying pub visitor was probably a local bird rather than a migrant. From here I took a tour of some of the local industrial sites hoping somewhat optimistically to find a Black Redstart or something similar. No luck on that front though I again caught up with the pair of Ringed Plovers which appear to be settling in nicely. Moving on I had a look at the quarry lake at  Priors Hall where at least one Sand Martin had returned, a very duff record shot was obtained. Other birds here included a small group of Lapwings.

Solitary bee and Shelducks

Very little was seen between here and Deene though things picked up a little at the lake. At least ten Shelducks were present and these included a copulating pair, hopefully they will nest here this year. No other wildfowl of note though a vocal Oystercatcher flew round the lake several times before settling for the briefest of moments near the inflow. Also seen here was a Green Sandpiper again and there was also a singing Chiffchaff. Nearby Deenethorpe airfield was quiet though another Chiffchaff was singing in the adjacent Weldon Park Wood.

Red Kite and Chiffchaff

My final stop of the day was at the A43 pond at Weldon where a third Chiffchaff of the day was present. The usual cast of birds were seen on the lake itself though Tufted Duck numbers had risen to ten and the pair of Canada Geese had returned, I wonder how long it is before the swan couple put them to flight again?