First Swallow of the year

One flew north over from the house this evening

Ashwell - Wheatears!!!!

After my Dad saw one male Wheatear in Ashwell last night, we went back tonight and had great views of two males for about half an hour.

Highlights: Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Skylark.

Wheatear (male)

Wheatear (male)

Yellow Wagtail

Corn Bunting

Here come the butterflies...

I saw my first butterfly of the year today in the garden - a Comma! I quickly ran to get my camera but it flew off just before I could get a photo. My mum also saw two Orange Tips close to the garden a few moments before the Comma arrived.

Purwell Ninesprings

Highlights: Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff (heard only), Wren, Moorhen.

Canada Goose

St Ippolyts

We went to try to find the pair of Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers, but had no success in the wet and dull weather. We did however have good views of a Treecreeper and Green Woodpeckers.

Highlights: Treecreeper, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Great-Spotted Woodpecker (heard only).

Rutland Water

We visited both the Lyndon Reserve and the Egleton Reserve and had incredible views of the male and female Ospreys and two Short-Eared Owl. A fantastic day!

Highlights: Osprey, Short-Eared Owl, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Red Kite, Ringed Plover, Avocet, Ruff, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Egyptian Goose, Redshank, Buzzard.

Osprey

Osprey

Short-Eared Owl

Short-Eared Owl

Short-Eared Owl

Short-Eared Owls

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff 

Chiffchaff 

Chiffchaff 

Pheasant

Teal

Great-Crested Grebe

Sand Martin

Ruff

Norton Green

Highlights: Wheatear, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Fieldfare, Linnet.

Wheatear - one of at least five, only my third ever record.

Yellowhammer

Skylark

Ashwell

Highlights: Yellow Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Red-Legged Partridge.

All three photos are slightly blurred - the light was beginning to fade.

Red-Legged Partridge

Grey Partridge

Yellow Wagtail

Ring Ouzel at Norton Green

Only my second ever sighting! We had great, close up views.

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Bullfinch photo (as promised!)

Male Bullfinch

Ashwell - some success at last!

We got off to a good start at home with a singing Chiffchaff, great views of the male and female Bullfinches with the blue sky behind them and two singing Wrens.

Ashwell Highlights: Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Skylark, Golden Plover, Grey Partridge, Red-Legged Partridge, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail.

On the way home we had great views of a Stoat running through a field and across the road in front of us. It then followed us along as we slowly drove away, hopping through the grass by the side of the road. This was only the second ever time I had seen a Stoat.

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Skylark