Cygnet Arrival

This morning was my first walk in over a week. Both Common Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were still holding territory at two locations on the Pit Tip. Good numbers of the larger wildfowl were present at the Mill Lakes with around forty Greylag Goose, and sixty Canada Goose on the lake. The single Mute Swan has been joined by another two adults - one with four cygnets. Singles of Gadwall, Teal, and Ruddy Duck were at the north end. A single Sand Martin was hawking insects over the lake, a pair of Coot were with two larger young, and another adult was still on its nest. Singles of Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler were heard singing.

A pair of Mistle Thrush were in the Spinney Field with a group of Starling. The Little Owl was seen again on a fence post, and then on the hedgerow. A male Kestrel was perched near the entrance to the Quarry, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was still drumming around the Old Rectory, and a male Barn Swallow was singing from the wires there too.