Spring Migrants Arrive at Paxton

Last week's warm southerly obviously brought in lots of summer visitors. Paxton Pits was full of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, and a short burst of Nightingale was heard together with sightings of Swallow and Sedge Warbler. The Grebes are still working on their nest site but making little progress with the high water level. 

Highlights Day One Mallorca

 It is difficult to choose just a few images from our first day birdwatching in S'albufera. The Black-Winged Stilts were very territorial though always seen off by the even more aggresive Avocets. There are Nightingales everywhere and a very vocal new species to be photographed - the Great Reed Warbler. Kentish Plover and Little Egret complete the set.

Breeding Underway at Fringringhoe Wick, Essex

Despite the current cold spell, breeding is underway at Fringinghoe Wick Nature Reserve. This male Kestrel was stretching its wings etc after being relieved of his egg sitting duties in the nest box. Spring migrants (Blackcaps, Chiffchaff) were busy setting up territories along with resident birds. Nightingale was heard but not seen! Even saw a male Adder in his resplendent silver colours

 

Nightingale versus Cetti plus other Small Birds, S'Albufera, Majorca

As the weather warmed up and brightened, the S'Albufera sprang to life with Cetti's Warblers and Nightingales competing for attention. The Cetti's (first five) are generally secretive but on occasions come out into the open and sing profusely. The Nightingale (next two) sings generally very visibly on a branch but is such a ventriloquist that it is difficult to locate its position. Also shown Sardinian Warbler (resident species), Pied Flycatcher (migrating) and Fan-Tailed Warbler (summer visitor). We are back in England now and so wish could have been there this week when migration and breeding hopefully starts in ernest but that is the luck of the draw!

Nightingales are Back at Paxton Pits

A few pairs of Nightingales are back at Paxton though still very shy and not singing that enthusiastically. There are also several pairs of Common Terns fishing on the lake along with the masses of Black-Headed Gulls. The Great Crested Grebe did its usual catching a fish in front of the hide and the Greylags periodically flew past.

Paxton's Nightingales

 A bright, warm and still day was just what was needed for today's RPS Nature Group visit to Paxton pits. The Southerly wind for the last 2 days has at last brought in the migrants so apart from several singing nightingales (top), there were Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff (second from bottom), Whitethroat, Blackcap (bottom) and cuckoo all heard. The Great Crested Grebes were very actively courting and the Cormorants busy with their nest building.