That Lieu Day Wasn't Bog Standard

 It's back shift week again and today was my lieu day off, in decidedly springlike conditions Alan and I ventured over to Summer Leys. After a lengthy slog through the rush hour traffic we did eventually get to the Leys and began our watching from Rotary Hide.

Little Ringed Plover and bigger ringed Black-headed Gull!

There was nothing too interesting in view from Rotary and we made our way to Pioneer from where my first Little Ringed Plover of the year was seen. Also on view was a colour ringed Black-headed Gull which may be from a scheme in the north west of England, I'll update things when I know more. I walked from here to Paul Britten Hide where I met up again with Shozzer who had chosen to drive. New additions to our day list from here included three Dunlins and a Snipe. As we were leaving some calls alerted us to a flock of Black-tailed Godwits flying past, they looked as if they might land but I couldn't see them from the hide. News came through that they had landed out of sight from me on Round Island and I marched back towards Pioneer Hide at a pace that defied my age!

Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits

Luckily the godwits were still on the island though rather than the twenty that we originally estimated there were actually sixteen. There were a variety of plumages on show and the birds looked stunning in the sunshine. My first Brimstone of the year was a welcome bonus, I saw another four during the rest of my walk. Having taken a few record shots of the blackwits I moved off to re-join Alan at the Screen Hide. There wasn't much to add from here and we set off to look for the long staying Glossy Ibis. I had a few unsatisfactory views of the bird from near the Toad Pond but we pressed on hoping for better. From the railway track a distant cream-crowned Marsh harrier was noted, apparently two were present today. Patience or perhaps persistence eventually paid off as we were treated to very good views of the ibis feeding in a field close to the Sand Martin colony. After a good few photos had been taken we returned to the car before heading to the Coach and Horses in Wellingborough. A decent pint was a fine way to bring the day to a close.

Glossy Ibis