Three new species for the year were recorded today forwarding the total to 133 species - SAND MARTIN, LITTLE RINGED PLOVER and RED KNOT.
Following Kevin Duncan's text this morning I managed distant views of the RED KNOT mid-morning as it fed along the back of the reserve pool. Also there was a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS keeping close company. 4 Common Snipe, a Common Redshank & 2 Lapwing.
Over 200 Common Gulls were resting on the south bank of the return lake. Duck numbers were good with 4 COMMON SHELDUCK, 10 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 12 Teal & 41 Tufted Duck on the arboretum pond. Over 30 Pied Wagtails, a dozen Meadow Pipits and a pair of Grey Wagtails on the Causeway and a pair of Mistle Thrushes and 30 Redwings were on the track to the hide with a very vocal Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees by the river (Dave Cleal)
A SAND MARTIN was seen over Willen Lake this morning (Rob Norris) - the first of the year in the county.