Motacilla Killer

 It was my one day weekend today and somewhat predictably the mild and sunny conditions of the last few days had evaporated and turned into something rather more seasonal. In the week I saw Peacock and Brimstone on my walk into work while a Tawny Mining Bee paid my garden a visit, today there were no insects of note to report. After a cool and misty start the sun did eventually emerge though it was often rather hazy and it never really felt that warm. I repeated my Sunday routine of the last few weeks and took the X4 to Oundle.

Mandarin and Great Crested Grebe

Barnwell CP hosted the now familiar Mandarins with at least two pairs present on the North Lake but there was little else to report. My walk along the river did not add much to my list while the Oundle floods near the A605 held on to reasonable numbers of wildfowl with the highlight being a snoozing drake Pintail. Waders were limited to a pair of Oystercatchers and half a dozen Lapwings, I hope that other species may drop in as Spring progresses. Satisfied that I'd seen all that I could I opted to head into town for a look at the Peregrines.

Barnwell selection

Initially I managed to see the male Peregrine, I only saw the female when he flew up to strengthen the pair bond with his mate. She remained while the male disappeared and I watched her for a while though she wasn't doing that much. Some calls announced the return of the male who appeared to be carrying prey. He began to pluck the unfortunate victim and paused only to call up to his mate, I wonder if it was some kind of gift for her? To begin with I couldn't work out which species was on the breakfast menu, it was a small passerine but which one? My photos helped me to solve the mystery - it was a Pied Wagtail. I evenyually left the Peregrines and headed towards the bus stop where a punctual X4 arrived to take me home.

Pintail, Peregrine and Pied Wagtail (R.I.P)