A dull, mild day with light cloud, I head to Oak Road and then take the riverbank for a walk to Reich Carter Way. I'm hoping for Sand Martins and Common Sandpiper for the year. The river is quite high, but the tide starts turning soon. Along the reed belt of the river, Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings call. From the more wooded areas the songs of Chiffchaffs and Blackcap. Blackcaps are singing very energetically today. Song Thrushes sing too. One makes a perfect rendition of an Oystercatcher call, another does the 'teacher, teacher, teacher!' of a Great Tit.
This Blackcap incorporated repetition and mimicry in its song, stumping me until I spotted it singing.
Occasionally a Reed Warbler can be spotted while singing amongst the dry reeds.
Reed Buntings are slightly easier to spot, as they tend to sit in a more prominent spot for singing. Here, chest up, it's preparing to utter its simple song.
A flock of 9 Jackdaws were on the grass by Ennerdale Ponds with some Jackdaws.
Singing Woodpigeon.
Rabbit.
As I arrive at the reservoir, I spot a Common Sandpiper flying downriver, calling, until I lose it.
At the Roebank Reservoir (aka Kingswood sewage works), there are no Tufted Ducks. Two family of Mallards with 5 ducklings each of different sizes and one Greylag family with goslings. I scan the margins and I'm pleased to find a Common Sandpiper there (top shot), which is number 90 for local big year.
Mallard with her flotilla of ducklings.
Despite the cool, cloudy conditions, Green-veined Whites are out and about, and also a Speckled Wood, which comes out in a brief sunny spell. St Mark's Flies and other flies and midges are out, and Starlings are very obviously hawking for them.
Some views of the river and the woodland by Thomas Clarkson way.
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