Another Spring Arrival

 Alan Shorrock and I took the short trip over the border to Eyebrook reservoir where we braved the blustery but mostly dry conditions for much of the day. While numbers of ducks are beginning to fall there were still a reasonable number to be seen though waders were few and far between. Although a newly arrived raptor provided the highlight there were other enjoyable moments before we finished on a high note back in Corby.

Snoozing Scaup and slightly more alert Pintails

From the car park at Stoke Dry we managed to find the eight Scaup which had been reported earlier and this is easily the highest number that I've seen inland together. The birds themselves, five drakes and three ducks, were clearly pretty tired as they spent most of our visit fast asleep and only occasionally did one raise a weary head up to either preen or look around. Slightly more alert though seemingly only just were a flock of about twelve Pintail at the sharp end though even these seemed to spend much of their time taking forty winks. Another ducky highlight were a drake and two redhead Smew that Alan picked out close to the eastern shore, it won't be too long before all of these ducks begin to head north so it's good to enjoy them while you can.

Spot the Snipe and distant Osprey

Waders were represented by a single Dunlin and eight Snipe which were seen from the bridge. The bridge or rather the trees near it also had at least two singing Chiffchaffs which are a further sign that there has been something of a broad arrival of this species in the last few days. The Chiffies had to take second place when it came to best migrant today however as an Osprey took the top spot. Alan and I were looking out across the sharp end when nearly all of the birds there took flight. We both looked for the cause but it was Shozzer who spotted the Osprey as it flew south towards the reddish willows on the eastern side. We were able to watch it at distance for some time before it eventually moved out of sight, several very poor record shots were taken to record the event. Less pleased to see the Osprey were some of the hundreds of Common Gulls which had congregated on and around the res as their March migration gathers pace.

Reed Bunting and Great Tit

Having decided to move on from the reservoir we paused for some food at a pub before finishing at our local Peregrine site. One bird showed rather well though it clearly was not enjoying the wind as it moved several times in search of shelter. I managed a few better than average pictures of it before we called it quits and headed for home.

Peregrine