15 April 2008

A bit of rain helps...

The only birds of note seen on a quick lap of Alvaston Park Lake on the mountain bike this morning were a pair of Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Stock Dove, both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and a single Willow Warbler.

On the way home this evening I heard Sand Martins again, only this time it sounded like there may be one or two more. After doing a quick U-turn on the river path and returning to the edge of the lake it became clear why I’d heard the martins... there were around 60 of them darting around, low over the water, hunting for insects!

The heavy rain this afternoon had obviously forced a number of migrants to seek out a resting-place for a while as the martins were accompanied by at least four Swallows. A group of 21 Pied Wagtail were also making the most of the shelter provided by the river side trees and were rushing around like a bunch of clockwork toys as they searched for food.

Hopefully, the light rain and cloud that is forecast for tonight may just push one or two more birds down over night. A House Martin would be nice, a Redstart or a flycatcher would be great! Yeah, well, I can but dream.

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