Boughton Lodge Farm: 2 Tree Sparrows with small group of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers along hedgerow at north end of cowfields.

Tree Sparrows, Boughton Lodge Farm © Jamie Wells.

Heronry South: Little Egret, female Grey Wagtail, 2 Marsh Tits.

Marsh Tit, Heronry South © Phil Cadman.

Heronry South: 2 Marsh Tits.

Sailing Lake: 9 Lesser Redpolls feeding in Alder trees on west side of lake.

Ouse Valley Way: 8 Goosander (3 drakes) on river by Great Meadow.

Heronry South: drake Smew from Hayden Hide.

Island Pit: redhead Smew, Bar-headed Goose, Kingfisher.

Heron Trail: Corn Bunting with Yellowhammers nr quarry workings.

Great Meadow: 2 Woodcocks flew towards river at dusk, plus a hunting Barn Owl.

Heron Trail: Woodcock in field west of Haul Road, plus still 100+ strong flock of Buntings in same area.

A1 North: No sign of yesterday's Ruddy Duck, but a single Shelduck present. c.400 winter Thrushes (85-90% Fieldfare) in berry laden bushes along southern end of pit.

Heron Trail: c.100 Yellowhammers and a single Corn Bunting in fields immediately west of Haul Road, just south of main quarry workings. Also small numbers of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Linnets and Reed Buntings. Melanistic Grey Squirrel ('Black Squirrel') along Haul road.

Ouse Valley Way: Otter swimming along river, east of Great Meadow.

Sailing Lake: redhead Smew in afternoon, plus Chiffchaff with a Tit flock on west side of lake. Common Buzzard over.

A1 North Pit: female Ruddy Duck asleep amongst Pochard.

Heronry Pits: Little Egret, Little Grebe, female Tufted Duck on Education pond (!); female Sparrowhawk, 15+ Redwings (one of which taken by the female Sparrowhawk). Good numbers of Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon and Coots.

Heronry Pits: Little Grebe, female Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails, 20+ Redwing, 2 Marsh Tits, 3 Siskins.

Washout Pit: 1 drake and 3 redhead Goosanders.

Heron Trail: Otter, Marsh Tit, Goldcrest, Kingfisher, good numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck & Shoveller. Redwings murmuring like Starlings, 2 Song Thrushes singing, Woodpigeon singing, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coots etc; 3-4 Yellowhammers along Haul Road, nr quarry workings.

Meadow Trail: Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Snipe, Bullfinches and several Wrens. Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker.

Meadow Below Visitors' Centre: Woodcock.

Car Park: Grey Wagtail, Little Egret (over).

Heronry Pits: Common Darter still on the wing along Haul Road, nr Rory's Wood.

Island Pit: redhead Goosander briefly, Kingfisher.

Heronry South: Little Egret, plus a Grey Wagtail seen bathing.

Heronry Pits: Sparrowhawk over Heronry North; single Coal and Marsh Tits, plus 2+ Long-tailed Tits at Education Centre feeding station.

River viewpoint: Red Kite over, also 11 Reed Buntings in area.

Washout Pit: Otter crossed path.

Little Paxton village: Chiffchaff in Hawthorn Close garden early am.

Heronry North: Otter showing well on and off from Kingfisher hide during day. Also fox on promontory in front of hide.

Heronry North: 2 drake Pintail.

Island Pit: 11 Pintail over, heading south; Water Rail calling, Redpoll over.

Insects: A few Common Darters and a Peacock butterfly still on the wing.

Island Pit: 6 Whooper Swans over, c15 Goldeneyes, Fieldfares, Redwings & lots of continental Blackbirds.

Rudd Pit: Kingfisher.

Cloudy Pit: Shovellers, Gadwall, Mallards, Sparrowhawk & 4 Siskins.

Kingfisher Hide: Kingfisher at post 17, also 2 Otter sightings from the hide today.

Island Pit: 15 Goldeneyes, 30 Fieldfares.

Heronry Lakes: 78 Mute Swans, 677 Wigeon, 85 Gadwall, 5 Goldeneye, 12 Teal, 6 Shovellers, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinches and 2 Siskins.

Other wildlife: Fox and a Black Squirrel.

Little Paxton village: a late Hobby seen heading south west.

Heronry North: Merlin seen several times from Kingfisher Hide, plus Otter sighted at least 3 times.

Otter photographed from Kingfisher Hide © Kevin Loader. 

Heronry North: Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Redpoll and Crossbill over during morning.

Washout Pit: male Otter showing well along footpath mid morning, then moved off in to the river.

Great Meadow: single Brambling over, heading south.

Heronry Pits: 6 Little Grebes and an Otter seen from Kingfisher Hide.

Heronry Pits: 27+ Crossbills over south (groups of 20, 6 and 1+), 5 Swallows south, 5 Redpoll south, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit.

Island Pit: drake Scaup still.

Great Meadow: Grey Wagtail over.

Meadow trail: Golden Plover north over.

Island Pit: drake Scaup amongst 1460+ Tufted Ducks. 5 Buzzards, 2 Redwings, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 16 Redpolls over SW.

Heronry Pits: Kingfisher, Redwing, Chiffchaff, 4+ Goldcrests, 2+ Marsh Tits, 1-2 Coal Tits, 3+ Siskins and 4 Redpolls over.

Sailing Lake: 2 Buzzards, Chiffchaff.

Washout Pit: Redwing, Goldcrest.

Other wildlife: Grass Snake at Island Pit, plus 4 Migrant Hawkers, 5 Red Admirals and Vapourer Moth noted around reserve.

Heronry Lakes: Large number of Wigeon, probably due to lack of water at Ouse Washes. 3 Shovelers and Bar-headed Goose, Little Grebe. Swallows coming through in twos and threes, also a few Blackaps still. Frequent Kingfisher sightings. Hobby last seen on the 26th.

Heronry Pits: 2 Kingfishers and Stoat seen.

Island Pit: 4 Cetti's Warblers singing/calling around pit.

Island Pit: Whinchat on east side of pit, also 2 Hobbies.

Heronry Pits: Cuckoo seen near the moorings, c.100 House Martins, 5 Siskins over.

Little Paxton village: 2 Siskins north.

Visitors Centre: Swift with large flock of hirundines.

Heronry North: Two juv. Common Terns, Kingfisher, Bullfinch, Wigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Heronry South: Turtle dove on wires, Buzzard.

Ouse Valley Way: 2 possible Honey Buzzards heading south along river at 11:00; Marsh Tit from river viewpoint.

Island Pit: Green Sandpiper.

Heronry South: 2 Kingfishers.

Heronry North: Osprey circling over pit at 06:30. Spotted Flycatcher around 'snake pit' area. Escaped grey Cockatiel around Heronry Pits throughout day.

Heronry North: Kingfisher, Nightingale (seen bathing in puddle), 2 Marsh Tits.

Heronry Pits: 6 Wigeon, 2 Kingfishers.

Island Pit: A leucistic Swallow with group of c.60 hirrundines feeding over north end of pit. Also male Sparrowhawk.

Little Paxton village: adult Hobby hunting over NW end of village, also Buzzard over.

Heronry South: Little Egret & 2 Kingfishers.

Washout Pit: single Greenshank in evening.

Meadow trail: Lesser Emperor dragonfly seen patrolling the north end of the meadow between 17:15-17:35. Also at least 5 Six-belted Clearwings to lure around Bird's Foot Trefoil between the boardwalk and visitors' centre late morning.

Hayling Pit: Kingfisher fishing from an overhanging Willow.

 

Six-belted Clearwing Moth attracted to pheromone lure, Paxton Pits.

Washout Pit: 4 Green Sandpipers.

Turtle Dove's calling around Heron Trail, especially near Hayden Hide, Kingfisher Hide and Moorings.

Hayling Pit: Norfolk Hawker seen for about an hour holding territory until a Brown Hawker saw it off.

Heronry Lakes: 3 Little Egrets, Turtle doves singing, Water Rail heard near Dodder Fen. Hobby.

Heronry South: Turtle Dove showing well at basin.

Ouse Valley Way: pair of Kingfishers with young, Hobby.

Little Paxton village: Whimbrel heard calling and heading south at 22:55.

A1 North Pit: Green Sandpiper, c.30 Linnets.

Hayling Pit: Norfolk Hawker seen again and photographed.

Heronry Pits: Wigeon from Hayden Hide, Marsh Tit and Goldcrest near Wray House Garden. 4+ Six-spot Burnet moths along Haul Road.

Great Meadow: 2 Buzzards over.

Meadow Trail: Six-belted Clearwing moth to lure late morning.

                                                      


Norfolk Hawker, Hayling Pit © Martin Shadbolt (click photo's to enlarge)

Island Pit: Green Sandpiper.

Sailing Lake: Turtle Dove 'purring'.

Washout Pit: Hobby, 3 Siskins flew south and nearby a Red-belted Clearwing moth to lure briefly.

Heronry Pits: female Tufted Duck with 6 ducklings, Cuckoo singing and 2 Siskins north over Haul Road.

Hayling Pit: Norfolk Hawker dragonfly seen on water soldier.

Also Hummingbird Hawk-moth recorded today.

Heronry Trail: Hobby, 5 Turtle Doves crooing around the trail (there are others near the sailing lake). 2 Foxes and many butterflies and bees on the blackberry flowers. Mainly Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Comma, Meadow Brown and Ringlet. Don't forget to check for Essex Skipper here.

Cloudy Pit: adult Mink with 2 cubs crossing the track at south end of pit.

Meadow Trail: Grasshopper Warbler 'reeling' and showing well at 8pm. Also 1+ Cetti's Warbler singing. Purple Hairstreak pair mating along south side of Cloudy Pit.

Heronry Pits: 2 Kingfishers; Turtle Dove and Coal Tit along Haul Road.

Boughton Lodge Farm: dead adult Tawny Owl.

Little Paxton village: Hobby hawking insects early evening, and 2+ Sparrowhawks. Yellow Wagtail over, Lesser Whitethroat singing.

Heronry North: Orange-tailed Clearwing attracted to pheremone lure in afternoon.

                          Orange-tailed Clearwing moth, Paxton Pits.

Heron Trail: 3 Nightingales seen, 1 heard, 1 trapped and ringed. Turtle Doves singing, Lesser Whitethroats singing (incl. Car Park). Yellowhammers singing x 2 near gravel works, Bullfinches. Sparrowhawk (breeding, seen carrying food to nest). 2 Little Egrets seen at dusk flying from Heronry Pit towards the Meadow. Blackcaps singing. House Sparrows at bird tables.

Meadow Trail: Cuckoo calling, Kingfisher at Rudd Pit.

Note: Otters seen on 12th and 14th along river.

Island Pit: 4 Black Terns, Cuckoo, plus singing Grasshopper Warbler and Cetti's Warbler.

Heronry South: 2 Turtle Doves, Cuckoo, still 6+ Nightingales singing, Treecreeper family.

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Heronry South: Hobby, Kingfisher, Turtle Dove, c.40 House Martins, 4 Nightingales singing, family party of Marsh Tits.

Cloudy Pit: Nightingale singing.

  Marsh Tit recently fledged around basin area, Heronry South.

Hayling Pit: drake Mandarin Duck on the river, opposite Hayling Pit this morning.

Heronry South: drake Red-crested Pochard.

Great Meadow: 2+ Hobbies.

Meadow Trail: male and female Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler.

Sailing Lake: Red Kite over.

   Drake Red-crested Pochard, Paxton Pits.

Island Pit: single Black Tern at the south end of Island Pit this morning.

Cloudy Pit: 3 Cuckoo's together.

Heronry South: 1st summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON feeding over Heronry North at 13:15, but then flew towards moorings and not relocated. Female Marsh Harrier over, heading NE at 15:30. Also 2 Hobbies and 4 Cuckoos.

Island Pit: 1st summer Little Gull in evening. Also 3 Grasshopper Warblers and Cetti's Warbler all still singing.

Great Meadow: Whinchat around NW end.

Island Pit: female Whinchat along east side of pit in evening.

Again, another excellent day for passage waders (many passing straight through north or northeast). Some totals for today:

Tundra Ringed Plover, 4+
Grey Plover, up to 7
Knot, 6
Dunlin, 8
Ruff, 1
Snipe, 1
Bar-tailed Godwit, 50
Greenshank, 15+
Wood Sandpiper, up to 6 birds
Common Sandpiper, 2
Turnstone, 4+

Other birds around today include 3 Little Egrets, drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Hobbies, Turtle Dove, 5 Swifts, 2 Yellow Wagtails and male Wheatear.

Some excellent northbound passage today, mostly during the first part of the morning. Highlights include: probable Marsh Harrier heading north (distant), 2 Hobbies, 2 Avocets, 6+ Grey Plovers, 8 Knot, 3 Sanderling, 30+ Bar-tailed Godwits, 7+ Whimbrel, 20+ Greenshank, up to 8 Green Sandpipers, up to 5 Wood Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper and 10 Little Gulls. At least one Grasshopper Warbler still singing along east side of Island Pit.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler, 3 Grasshopper Warblers.

Heronry South: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, drake Pochard, Marsh Tit.

Great Meadow: male Whinchat still.

Great Meadow: male Whinchat around scrubby area at NW end of meadow.

Heronry Pits: 2 Egyptian Geese over, drake Red-crested Pochard, several House Martins, Kingfisher.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warblers.

























       Male Whinchat at the Great Meadow, Paxton Pits.

Sightings today include: 4 Goldeneye (2 drakes), Red Kite, 2 Hobbies, 2 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Wood Sandpipers (briefly at 07:55), Swift and singing Grasshopper Warbler.

         Wood Sandpiper, Paxton Pits.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Turtle Dove singing.

 

Island Pit: Red Kite, Hobby.

Washout Pit: pair Sparrowhawks displaying.

Little Paxton village: SANDWICH TERN over north at 11:30; single Swift noted.

Island Pit: 3 Grasshopper Warblers.

Little Paxton village: 5 House Martins. Also female Emperor Moth caught in a Little Paxton garden early afternoon.

Female Emperor Moth, Little Paxton (ok, so it's not a bird, but this moth was too smart to miss off today's news!).

Heron Trail: At least 8 singing Nightingales; 11 Swallows over education centre.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler still.

Nightingale singing by Wray House Garden, Paxton Pits © Martin Davis.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 3+ Ringed Plovers, 4+ Redshank, Green Sandpiper over, heading north, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, Cetti's Warbler, 2-3 Grasshopper Warblers.

Meadow Trail: Grasshopper Warbler singing and showing well.

Wheatears at Diddington Pit, Paxton Pits.

A1 North Pit: male and female Wheatear.

Heronry Pits: drake Red-crested Pochard still, possible Brambling seen in Wray House Garden briefly, Garden Warbler.

Island Pit: 2-3 Grasshopper Warblers and Cetti's Warbler singing still.

Moorings: Lesser Whitethroat singing.

Northern Pits: Avocet, Dunlin, male and female Wheatear, several Yellow Wagtails, Lesser Whitethroat.

Rudd Pit: Four Cetti's Warblers.

Sailing Lake: Cetti's Warbler.

Washout Pit: male GOSHAWK again (flew north mid morning).

Grasshopper Warbler singing at Island Pit © Martin Davis.

Sailing Lake: TREE PIPIT over NW at 07:08.

Island Pit: 2 Grasshopper Warblers, Garden Warbler.

Northern Pits: pair Wigeon, 3 Avocets, Red Kite, Cuckoo, Nuthatch (heard calling briefly in wood south of Diddington Pit mid morning), Cett's Warbler.

Washout Pit: Reed Warbler singing.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler still.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 2 Buzzards, 5 Avocets, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover over east, 4 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, adult Yellow-legged Gull still, 15 Common Terns, male Wheatear.

Northern Pits: adult Yellow-legged Gull, Common Sandpiper, 2 male Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, Cetti's Warbler.

Island Pit: Grasshopper Warbler singing from fallen willow in NE corner of pit.

Northern Pits: immature male Peregrine, 4 Dunlin.

Immature Peregrine, Paxton Pits © Martin Davis.

A1 North Pit: Yellow Wagtail over, c.70 Linnets.

Northern Pits: 6 Shelduck, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Avocets, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Ringed Plovers, Curlew, adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Sailing Lake: Cetti's Warbler singing in NW corner of lake.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, summer plumage Golden Plover, Greenshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 14 Common Terns, Yellow Wagtail.

Heron Trail: male Red-crested Pochard still, 4 singing Nightingales, Whitethroat between Kingfisher Hide and the moorings. Good number of Willow Warblers.

Washout Pit: FIRECREST on east side of pit from c.08:30-09:00 at least, in hawthorns at north end of the path/track. Also Nightingale singing and a Whitethroat singing on opposite side of river briefly.

Island Pit: Short-eared Owl hunting over fields on east side of pit between 19:00-19:35; Cuckoo, 3 Grasshopper Warblers singing & Cetti's Warbler still.

Northern Pits: male GOSHAWK again between 11:00-12:10, occasionally in the company of Buzzards and also mobbed by a male Sparrowhawk and numerous corvids. Also around the top end were 4 Red Kites (all in air together at once), 11+ Buzzards, 3+ Sparrohawks, 2 Avocets, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Dunlin, Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, Cuckoo, Nightingale and 6 Yellow Wagtails.

Little Paxton village: 2 House Martins again over west end of village.

Short-eared Owl, Island Pit © Jamie Wells.

Heronry Pits: Drake Red-crested Pochard, 3 Nightingales singing, Garden Warbler singing between the two hides.

Island Pit: 4 Little Gulls (2 adults, 2cy and 3rd cy) feeding over south end of pit mid morning; c.300 Sand Martin's early evening, Cetti's Warbler still, Grasshopper Warbler reeling on east side of pit.

Meadow trail: Red Kite over, Kingfisher at Rudd Pit.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Red Kites, 6 Avocets, 6 summer plumaged Dunlin, 8 Black-tailed Godwits over, Green Sandpiper, Barn Owl, 2 Swallows, Nightingale.

Little Paxton village: First 2 House Martins over west end of village.

Heronry South: male Redstart in hedgerow beyond the education centre. Also Garden Warbler.

Northern Pits: several Sedge Warblers singing; Orange-tip butterflies.

Northern Pits: Red Kite, 9 Buzzards, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Avocets, 10 Redshanks, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 9 Common Terns, Cetti's Warbler.

Heron Trail: Nightingale singing in Rory's Wood.

Little Paxton village: The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year singing nr Enterprise House.

Birds of note around Paxton today include:

2 Little Egrets, drake Red-crested Pochard, pair Goosander, 8 Common Terns, 100+ Sand Martins, 20 Swallows, White Wagtail, male Wheatear and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Highlights: drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Terns, 65 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, Rock Pipit, White Wagtail, male Wheatear, 37 WAXWINGS (in Willow trees at Heronry South), Cetti's Warbler and 3 Willow Warblers. Good numbers of singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs.

Belated news of up to 50 WAXWINGS occasionally seen in gardens/trees along Parkside/Ramply Close for past two days.

Heronry Pits: the first Nightingale of the year singing briefly near Kingfisher hide.

Diddington Pit: Buzzard, immature female Peregrine, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Ringed Plovers, Knot, 5 Oystercatchers.

Northern Pits: 11 Buzzards, Red Kite, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Common Terns, male and female Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Willow Warblers.

Island Pit: Sedge Warbler and Cetti's Warbler singing.

Undoubted highlight of the day was an adult male GOSHAWK seen at 10:00 over the field west of the quarry workings at the north end of pit complex. However, it soon departed low west, mobbed by a gang of corvids and was not see subsequently. Other raptors seen included 2 Red Kites. Our first 3 Wheatears (all females), first Sedge Warbler and first Yellow Wagtail of the year were seen this morning. Also of note today, the 1st winter Little Gull is still present at Pumphouse Pit, whilst 2 Dunlin were on nearby Diddington Pit. At least 5 singing Blackcaps were seen or heard, as well as 4 singing Willow Warblers and a singing Cetti's Warbler. A single Swallow was over Diddington village, just west of Diddington Pit and plenty of Sand Martins were moving through in small groups all day. 4+ Common Terns were around the Heronry Pits.

Little Paxton village: 22 WAXWINGS by the river bridge nr the new housing development.

Northern Pits: 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, Knot, 1st winter Little Gull again, 21 Sand Martins, Swallow.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Hayling Pit: Buzzard, 20+ Sand Martins over the allotments; 3 Blackcaps singing, several Chiffchaffs.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler still.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 1st winter Little Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull and the first Common Tern of the year.

Northern Pits: 4 Shelduck, 7 Oystercatchers, 3 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 30 Golden Plovers over, 9 Redshank, 3 Sand Martins, Swallow, singing Blackcap.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 4 Pintail, 5 redhead Smew, Red Kite, female Marsh Harrier south early evening, immature male Peregrine, 2 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, c.30 Golden Plovers over, 3 Dunlin, c.12 Redshank, 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults and a 2nd summer), 40+ Sand Martins, 22 Fieldfares over, Cetti's Warbler, possible Mealy Redpoll seen briefly.

Sailing Lake: LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER heard briefly on north side of pit late morning; male Blackcap.

Adult Mediterranean Gulls, Paxton Pits © Martin Davis.

Northern Pits: 2 Pintail, 4 redhead Smew, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Pipit.

Rudd Pit: singing Cetti's Warbler.

Sailing Lake: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls on smaller island early afternoon, 4 Sand Martins.

Heronry North: first 2 Willow Warblers of the year singing in east scrub.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Heronry Pits: drake Red-crested Pochard still, 2cy Little Gull.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 redhead Smew, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 11 Redshank, 3 Sand Martins.

Heronry South: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, 4 singing Chiffchaffs.

Moorings: Blackcap.

Northern Pits: 7 Smew (1 drake), 4+ Buzzards, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers displaying, 2 Dunlin, Ruff, 3 Snipe (including 1 drumming), 14 Redshank, 2w Yellow-legged Gull, Greylag x Canada Goose hybrid.

Heronry Pits: drake Red-crested Pochard, c.12 Goldeneye, 4-5 Buzzards, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, Marsh Tit.

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Visitors' Centre: First Swallow of the year past centre at 14:50, also single Sand Martin.

Other wildlife: Peacock & Brimstone butterflies; frogs calling.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, female Pintail, 5 redhead Smew, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Avocets, Little Ringed Plover (flew west - first of the year for Paxton Pits), 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 3 Sand Martins, Scandinavian Rock Pipit.

Northern Pits: 4 redhead Smew, redhead Goosander (flew south), 2 Snipe, 2 Kingfishers.

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing near boardwalk, single Redpoll over.

Moorings: Red Kite circling fairly low down.

Little Paxton village: male (singing) and female Blackcap at end of Hawthorn Close.

12+ Chiffchaffs around complex.

Highlights from around complex: 2 Little Egrets, 5 redhead Smew, redhead Goosander, up to 16 Buzzards (including 11 together over visitors' centre), 7 Dunlin, Snipe, Sand Martin, 7 Chiffchaffs & Marsh Tit.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pit: 4 Little Egrets, 7 Smew (2 drakes), 2 Oystercatchers, Avocet, 8 Ringed Plovers, 12 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull, probable 3rd winter Caspian Gull.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 2 redhead Smew, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 15 Redshank and a count of 66 Pied Wagtails.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3rd winter Caspian Gull, 5 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 15 Redshanks.

Diddington Pit: 2 Avocets, 10 Ringed Plovers, Golden Plover, 7 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 8 Smew (2 drakes), Little Egret, Peregrine, 72+ Golden Plovers over, 5 Ringed Plovers, 4 Avocets, 4 Dunlin.

Visitors Centre/Meadow: 5 Mealy Redpolls early morning. Around 20 Redpolls around the same area early afternoon also, but flock highly mobile and seen mostly in flight only.

Great Meadow: 3 Buzzards displaying, plus Sparrowhawk.

Little Paxton village: male Blackcap in Gordon Road garden.

At least 5 Chiffchaffs singing around complex.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: pair Pintail, 5 Smew (1 drake), 12 Golden Plovers flew east, Avocet, 9 Dunlin, 2 Curlews, Jack Snipe, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (an adult and a 1st winter), Rock Pipit.

Diddington Village: 2 Red Kites.

Rock Pipit (record shot!), Diddington Pit.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 10 Smew (1 drake), Little Egret, 5 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, Curlew and the first Sand Martin of the year.

A1 North Pit: Red Kite hanging low above the A1, just west of A1N Pit.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 16 Smew (3 drakes), 3 Buzzards, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, Curlew, 3 Redshank, 8 Siskins over, Bar-headed Goose.

Island Pit: single Siskin over.

Ouse Valley Way: 4 redhead Goosanders on river.

Diddington Village: 2 Red Kites over A1 west of the village.

A1 Pits: 2 drake Smew.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pit: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 3 redhead Smew, 3 Avocets, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, Water Pipit.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Red Kite drifted south, female Peregrine (seen catching a Woodpigeon), 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 10 Golden Plovers, 4 Dunlin.

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing in SE corner.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 14 Smew (2 drakes), Buzzard, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 13 Golden Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Curlew flew south, Redshank.

Highlights from around the pit complex today:

Bar-headed Goose, 6 Shelduck, drake Pintail, 10 Smew (2 drakes); 2 redhead Goosander, 2 Buzzards, female Merlin (preening and bathing at Diddington Pit, then flew SW at 12:30), Grey Partridge, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover at Pumphouse Pit (until 12:30 when it flew east); Dunlin, 4 Snipe, Barn Owl.

Female Merlin, Diddington Pit © Martin Davis.

Moorings: Red Kite heading south.

Heron Trail: c.10 Yellowhammers and c.10 Reed Buntings along Haul Road.

Washout Pit: 7 Goosander (2 drakes).

A1 North Pit: adult Mediterranean Gull early afternoon.

Diddington Pit: Little Egret, pair Shelduck, redhead Goosander, immature Peregrine.

Island Pit: 4 Goosander (2 drakes).

Sailing Lake: 3 Smew (1 drake).

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 Jack Snipe.

Northern Pits: 14 Smew (5 drakes - often displaying), redhead Goosander, pair Shelduck.

Heronry Pits: drake Red-crested Pochard, drake and redhead Goosander.

Sailing Lake: 12 Smew (3 drakes).

Northern Pits: 3 Shelduck, 5 Smew (2 drakes), redhead Goosander, Sparrowhawk, immature Peregrine, 16 Siskins over.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 17 Pintail (8 drakes), 7 Smew (1 drake), redhead Goosander, Peregrine.

Island Pit: 3 Smew (1 drake).

Northern Pits: 11 Smew (3 drakes), redhead Goosander, male Peregrine.

Heronry South: drake Red-crested Pochard, 1 Siskin over.

Island Pit: Up to 12 Smew (1 drake), 110 Goldeneye, adult male Sparrowhawk, Buzzard.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, Shelduck, 2 Pintail (1 drake), 10 Smew (3 drakes), drake Ruddy Duck.

Heronry North: Bittern showing from the Kingfisher Hide between c.13:00-13:30.

Northern Pits: 9 Pink-footed Geese still early afternoon, before flying towards A1 North Pit; Shelduck, immature Peregrine.

Sailing Lake: Drake and redhead Smew.

Heron Trail: Woodcock over Haul Road at dusk.

A1 North Pit: Sparrowhawk.

Boughtong Lodge Farm: Buzzard heading to roost at dusk.

Northern Pits: 9 Pink-footed Geese again for 20 mins, before heading back towards A1 North Pit; female Peregrine, 2+ Buzzards, Water Rail.

Island Pit: 6 Smew (2 drakes) still.





Two of the nine Pink-footed Geese currently frequenting Paxton Pits © Martin Davis.

Boughton Lodge Farm area: 9 Pink-footed Geese feeding in fields east of the farm (to north of A1 North Pit) this morning.

Island Pit: 6 Smew (2 drakes), Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Water Rail & a Barn Owl hunting late afternoon.

Diddington Pit: Little Egret.

Little Paxton village: 3 Siskin flew north.













Six of nine Pink-footed Geese, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, male and female Peregrine, Snipe.

Hayling Pit: Bittern showing well in reeds by the river, to south of Hayling Pit; Marsh Harrier flew towards Meadow, then headed back towards Little Paxton village; Water Rail, 3 Grey Wagtails, Coal Tit.

Heronry South: Siskin over.

Island Pit: Bittern, 5 Smew and a single Lesser Redpoll over.

A1 North Pit: 9 Pink-footed Geese on the ice, then later seen flying south over the visitors' centre

Sailing Lake: c.10 Siskin.

Washout Pit: Bittern flew north and appeared to drop on to Island Pit.

Little Paxton village: Red Kite dropped low through garden in Meadow Close mid afternoon, then flew west.

Island Pit: Bittern, 3 Smew (2 drakes), 2 Goosanders (1 drake) flew north, male Sparrowhawk, Buzzard.

Heronry North: Bittern flushed from in front of the Kingfisher Hide.

Meadow: Bittern flew north.

Moorings/Ouse Valley Way: Bittern showing well just south of the moorings (see photo below).

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, European White-fronted Goose (flew off north mid morning), Jack Snipe, 3+ Common Snipe.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Buzzard, c.10 Siskins feeding in Alder trees.

A1 North Pit: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards.
















Bittern, Ouse Valley Way, Paxton Pits © Stuart Elsom.