Eyebrook Again

 A mixed bag weather wise today when Alan Shorrock and I made a repeat visit to Eyebrook. The adult Pectoral Sandpiper that we saw on Wednesday has now moved on but there were still a few waders around the res. During a few sunny spells in the afternoon small numbers of insects appeared but overall it was a fairly quiet and uneventful visit.

Blackwits, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper

A Green Sandpiper was seen at Sam's Dyke and showed reasonably well but remained the only thing of note until we got to the inflow. Here we found a Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank while the small group of Little Ringed Plovers were still present. A stop at the bridge did not add anything to our haul and we moved around to the Rutland side from where we had another look at the inflow. Two more godwits had joined the original bird and Shozzer picked out a Common Sandpiper on the opposite bank. An Osprey put in a brief appearance but flew off down the reservoir. Another Common Sand was seen near the car park.

Comma, Large White and Gatekeeper

By now the sun was beginning to break through which as well as bringing out some insects also helped take some of the chill out of the day. We had no luck finding any Spotted Flycatchers, another view of the Osprey was one of the few birding highlights though Alan saw a family group of Lesser Whitethroats. Good numbers of white butterflies were now flitting about, I was able to identify Large and Small. Small numbers of both Meadow Browns and Ringlets were seen and at least two Gatekeepers were noted. A few Commas and a Red Admiral completed the butterfly sightings while the only odes were plenty of Common Blue Damselflies and a Southern Hawker.