Tuesday 29th March 2011

An increase in hirundine activity this afternoon brought on by the overcast showery conditions saw 30 Sand Martin feeding low over Castle Lake, these were joined by an early House Martin hawking insects over the field with the cattle in.
Others at Castle Lake included Great Crested Grebe numbers of which continue to fluctuate, back up to seven today, eight Little Grebe involved in a major and noisy dispute, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 5 visiting Mute Swan which were eventually bullied into submission by the resident pair and departed to Stoneybeck Lake, 1 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 1f Goosander, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, and at least 15 Pied Wagtail around the sewage works.

The A1 Flashes held 2 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 1m Shoveler, 2 Redshank and the Green Sandpiper.

Along Foumarts Lane were a single Mistle Thrush and a singing Chiffchaff.

Pegs on a washing line, or some of this afternoon's Sand Martin taking a well earned rest.