Avez-Vous un Cuppa?

Over the last week I have added another species for the City year list in the form of two sightings of a couple of Ravens (113) over Watermead CP South and Birstall Meadows. Other birds of note over the last week at Watermead have included two twitchable Arctic Terns (Adult and Juvenile) and a brief flock of 7 Ruffs on the island yesterday (These birds were later relocated on the Rectory marsh at Cossington Meadows LRWT). With the weather looking good for Seabirds over the next few days I will try and check the Soar Valleys sites on a regular basis hoping for a sighting of a Sabine's Gull or even a Skua sp!?   Photos of the Adult Arctic Tern! And finally I am counting down the days until my annual trip to Shetland (19days from today!), and this year I will be staying in Cunningsburgh.

View from the Mammoth looking North at Watermead CP South Whilst at work yesterday I noticed a few Swallows migrating over the hospital, so after finishing the early shift I drove down to Watermead CP South for a bit of afternoon vis-migging. Scanning the car park pit I noticed that the Juvenile Black Tern and Arctic Tern were still present and a small gathering of Lesser Black-backs Gulls.  Then climbing the heights of the Mammoth I viewed the Soar Valley for the next hour or so. Although it was quiet for most of the hour and to keep the Llama happy, I noted that at least 78 Swallows , and 2 Snipe flew south! ;-). With only a few working days left before I go to Shetland for the annual drunkbirders field trip, I'm hoping of going to the seaside tomorrow (Flamborough Head) for a bit of Seawatching and migrant bashing with the return of the mack! I will keep you posted what happens? PS Happy Birthday to the Drunkbirder today!

Common Scoter Watermead CP North (Water-ski Pit) taken by John Hague. Although it felt cold in the morning with maybe something to do with the recent volcanic ash cloud? I noticed at Watermead CP South that more spring migrants had arrived over the last few days. I noted that at least ten Blackcaps were singing around the southern section of the park, but the highlight here was three Arctic Terns seen briefly over the pits before flying north up the valley. Moving on to Watermead CP North and Birstall section, sightings seen included a nice looking drake Common Scoter on the waterski pit, a large female Peregrine being mobbed by a couple of LBB Gulls and a newly arrived Sedge Warbler singing by the key lakes. After getting a text from Andy Mackay about a Whitethroat at Cossington Meadows and a quick lunch break I checked out Cossington Meadows. After about an hour on being on the reserve and not much to report except for the singing Reed Warbler on Moor Pool, it was back to W...

After finishing my final assignment for University mid morning, I noted on my pager that 3 Black Terns had been reported at Cropston Reservoir. So before handing in my assignment I nipped over to Cropston to see the terns. Arriving at the dam, I met up with Paul (one of the Groby crew) as he was scanning the reservoir. Straight away I picked up a couple of Black Terns flying around the reservoir and then I noticed a couple of smaller terns as there flew past. I knew straight away that there Little Terns due to there size and build. I shouted to Paul to get on terns which he did, and then I scanned through the other terns feeding over the reservoir, and noted that there was 2 adult Little Terns , 3 Black Terns , up to six Arctic Terns and a single Common Tern just feeding off the dam. As this was a good count of Terns I phoned the news out. Watching the Terns for the next half an hour, the majority moved off when the weather improved, but the Black Terns did stick around until the e...