First Look At Whiston

 After yesterday's local wanderings it was time to cast the net a little wider though it wasn't by much. Alan Shorrock and I decided to visit Summer Leys in the hope that the spring migration might drop a few things in. News on the Northants WhatsApp seemed encouraging as a few decent birds had already been reported. It was yet another warm and mostly sunny day though our good run with the weather does look as if it may be drawing to a close as showers are predicted for most of the coming week.

Whimbrel

Our first stop at the Leys was Rotary Hide from where we did not see much at all. Pioneer Hide was equally lacking in interest as both the reported Bar-tailed Godwit and Greenshank had departed before we arrived. With just Little Ringed Plovers and Redshanks left to entertain us we did not linger for long before moving on. A Common Tern on Gull Island was my first of the year and there were two Snipe on an adjoining  island. Paul Britten Hide yielded the day's only Great White Egret but little else and we found ourselves o the move again. Shozzer did well to pick out the long staying Glossy Ibis though it was pretty distant. Plenty of butterflies appeared to be enjoying the sunshine and my first Small White of the year was seen near Mary's Lake, other species included Brimstone, Orange-tip, G-v White and Peacock. Sedge and Reed Warblers were added to our year lists before we made the decision to move on.

Little Gulls

The new workings near Whiston seem to be drawing in some good  birds this spring and it looked as if a visit there would be a good idea particularly as we were pretty close anyway. After quite a disappointing walk around the Leys the Whiston wetlands more than retrieved the day. A Whimbrel was seen first and it showed well, it was just one of several that moved through the county today. At least one Yellow Wagtail and several Little Ringed Plovers were picked out on the islands though it was three Little Gulls that drew our attention. The two immatures and an adult bird were seen resting on the water and then feeding above it, they seemed to move on before we did. While watching the gulls a Whitethroat was heard singing and then seen too becoming our third new warbler for the year. Yesterday's pair of Garganeys had also been reported this morning and we spent quite a lot of time looking for them. Eagle -eyed Alan eventually picked them out and we watched both for some time as they fed amongst the aquatic vegetation. With the birding now wrapped up we headed to Earls Barton where a pint in the Saxon Tavern brought things to a close.

Garganeys