Monthly Archives: April 2013

Unexpected day out at Old Moor proved a worthwhile visit catching up with summer migrants and a few insects. The Bittern could be heard booming from the visitor centre whilst I watched the birds at the centre feeders,  Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch,  Bullfinch,  Dunnock  and Pheasants. Strolling on towards Green Lane warblers were out in force Whitethroats, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler. On at the Wath Ings Black tailed Godwit, Redshank, Lapwing, Gadwall and Teal.  Back on Green Lane I spotted what I thought was a bee but it turned out to be a hoverfly Bee mimic Eristalis intricarius a us, looking further I came across Spiders and a few Alder Leaf Beetles, finally I caught sight of Avocet and Sparrowhawk over Green Lane. Butterflies for the day Peacock and Orange-tip.

Day list in no order :-

Avocet, Redshank, Black tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Black headed Gull, Cormorant, Bittern, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Magpie, Crow, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch,  Goldfinch, Bullfinch,  Swift, Sand Martin, Whitethroat,  Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler,  Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Shoveler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sparrowhawk, Reed Bunting, , Woodpigeon, Tufted Duck, Blackbird, Jay,  Linnet.

Hoverfly Bee mimic [Eristalis intricarius]

Alder Leaf Beetle

A weekend stop over in Oakham very near to Rutland Water at the “Cat Basket” (see my B&B link here > Link < ) a great Cottage with a wonderful garden with lots of birdlife, highlights over the weekend were Great Spotted Woodpecker (♀ and ♂), Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tits, Treecreeper, Buzzard (fly over) and Little Egret (fly over). Butterflies Brimstone, Comma, Large White, & Peacock.

We obviously spent a few hours at Rutland Water whilst we were there who wouldn’t. Our day one was spent in the Manton Bay area viewing the Osprey’s, we thought the better views were had at the shallow water hide, along with the Osprey’s the highlights we saw Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, House Martin, Buzzard and Butterflies loads of Brimstone, along with Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

Day two we were around the Egleton Birdwatching Centre and around the centre feeders were Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and a fly thru Sparrowhawk try to find dinner. From the centre itself Little Egrets, Red-legged Partridge, Common Tern, Sand Martin, Shelduck along with the main duck species Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Shoveler, Geese about included Egyptian, Greylag, Canada and a suspect Barnacle. We had then a long walk up to the Lagoon 4 complex where most of the action seems to have been taking place and we were not disappointed with Sedge Warbler seen along the pathway bushes and with Dunlin, Redshank, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow and another fly thru Sparrowhawk we were not disappointed. For a more detailed list press THIS

The Cat Basket

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Nuthatch

Comma

Well its all Old Moor at the moment but that may change in the next couple of week, well Old Moor it was and here is the visit highlights

Summer migrants still thin on the ground that thin I only one solitary Sand Martin, I also added Snipe to the list these were viewable from Wath Ings hide. Other birds for the day Black-headed Gulls, Canada Goose, Teal, mallard, Goosander, Coot, Moorhen, Gadwall, Shoveler, Lapwing, Cormorant. Around the Tree Sparrow farm Reed Bunting, Brambling coming nicely into their breeding plumage, Yellowhammers, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Collards Doves

Well now entering April and the cold winter weather hangs on in and with the wind coming in off the lakes here at Old Moor we were feeling it. However the birds delighted with this years first sighting of Mediterranean Gull in the large Black-headed Gull colony this was from the family hide, also from here Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Cormorant,

On at the wader scrape hide were a couple of waders in the form of Redshank, along with other birds we noted Mute Swan, Jackdaw, Starling, Shoveler, Goosander. Around at the Tree Sparrow farm were a good selection of birds notably, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Yellowhammers, Wren, Reed Buntings, Brambling, Dunnock, Tree Sparrows and a tricky Weasel.

No sign of summer migrants as yet for us but Chiffchaff and Blackcap have been reported from along Green Lane

Redshank