Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get out into the field at all over the weekend to check local sites, so my birding was restricted to the back garden when time allowed. Highlights were:
Saturday 21st:
Hobby south at 11:15am
Raven low west, cronking at 2:30pm
Hobby (adult) south at 7pm
Sunday 22nd:
Willow Warbler, 5+ through in the morning
Blackcap, juv through am
Marsh Tit, 2 in the morning
Hobby (adult) north 3:40pm.
Best bird, and a hoped for garden tick, came at 3:20pm. A high flying raptor moving in a steady SSW direction is always worth a look, as it suggests a migrating bird rather than a local Common Buzzard or Red Kite. The bins revealed an obvious OSPREY in steady glide. The long wings, long hand and spread fingers together with a shortish square cut tail were diagnostic. The white body and throat were also obvious. Lack of obvious black greater coverts below suggest a juvenile, but the bird was fairly high, so I cannot be certain. The bird only gave an occasional shallow flap, but otherwise was in constant glide. It actually flew directly overhead and at this stage the wings could be seen to be held forward at the carpals in typical gliding posture. All this happened in about 30 seconds, so I always wonder what I am missing when not looking up!
Adam Bassett