After missing out on yesterday's wader festival , I decided to camp out in Linford from 5.45 ! I was joined by Rob and Lucy from 06.45 and Mal McGar from 7.10.
After a brief trip to Willen Road GP , where a Common Sandpiper and Little Egret were the only birds of note , I found myself looking at quite a birdless bund ! Indeed for the next 2 hours , the only wader that dropped in was an Oystercatcher at 06.32, the best of the rest were 2 Cettis Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 3 GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 8 Little Egrets (arriving from the west in 1's and 2's), drake RED CRESTED POCHARD that flew in about 07.30, 10+ Common Terns , 4 Garden Warblers, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat (Rob only ) and a Sedge Warbler. Hirundines were also on the move.
After a disappointing morning , we decided to head to Manor Farm , a Male Bullfinch greeted us at the car park and a Little Owl was calling from the pollarded willows. After scanning the first areas of open water and turning up a few LRP's , we moved through to the 2nd field along and scanned the spit - WOOD SANDPIPER ! all the previous 2 hours agony was washed away ! Cracking bird in full summer plumage. Also on the pits were a further 4 LRP's ( must be up to 6 on the site ) 1 Common Sandpiper , 5+ Lapwings and 2 Common Terns Whilst walking back we came across a fantastic singing TREE SPARROW , which is probably rarer in North Bucks then Wood Sand !
I then headed home , whilst Rob went to Willen , to find 2 smashing WHIMBRELS and the GREENSHANK from yesterday I wasted no time in heading back down !
Again a great mornings passage !
Simon Nichols