Sightings over the last week 15th to 22st March 2009.

Although the weather has been nice for the last few days, a small trickle of spring migrants has occurred in the county.
For most of the week I have spent a lot of time down at Shawell tip and the Balancing Pool watching the gulls.
Including the Kumlien's Gull I have also seen another 1st winter Iceland Gull at the tip and pool from the previous birds at Stanford Reservoir and Albert Village. Other gulls recorded at this site have included the usual suspects and a nice looking adult Caspian Gull.
In the surrounding countryside I have recorded up to 14 Buzzards, a small population of Tree Sparrows and a couple of Shelducks.
Away from this site I've started to check out a few sites in the Soar valley and Charnwood again with a few spring migrants recorded.
These have included a couple of Sand Martins over the scrape at Wanlip Meadows on the 15th and a single bird over Birstall Meadows on the 22nd. I have also noted Chiffchaffs singing at Swithland Reservoir, Cossington Meadows and Watermead CP North.
On the water bird front someone tried to a string a Lesser Scaup at Swithland Res on the 21st, but in fact it was actually a nice looking male Scaup, which had been around since the previous Wednesday!?, and as usual for the time of the year I have noted that at least three Little Egrets have been seen in the Soar Valley.
Over the next few days as the wind has changed back to a northerly airflow I would imagine we will have to wait a few days before the next wave of spring migrants arrive in the county?

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