An eared Owl sp. seen briefly in flight this morning before disappearing behind a hedge at Island Pit and not seen subsequently. Also 2w Caspian Gull (different to yesterday's bird), female Goldeneye, Ruff & Greenshank still, 4 Golden Plover, 6 Snipe, Little Egret, Barn Owl, 56 Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtail and several Redwing.

Highlights today were 2 Caspian Gulls (an adult-type and a 2nd winter), 4+ Yellow-legged Gulls, female-type Marsh Harrier flying south along the river mid morning, single Rock Pipit, Ruff still, Greenshank, Ringed Plover (flew south), 7 Siskins and a single Redpoll over, plus a Mistle Thrush and 5 Fieldfare. Small groups of Redwing and the odd Skylark noted passing over throughout the day. Several Common Darters and 2 Peacock Butterflies still on the wing.

Adult Mediterranean Gull amongst several hundred pre-roosting Black-headed Gulls this evening. Also Rock Pipit, Ruff, 3 Snipe and a male and female Pintail.

2 Green Sandpipers flew over the conservation area between the two hides along the Heron Trail early this morning. Also 2 male Blackcaps along hedgerow by the arable fields. Chiffchaff half-heartidly singing near to education centre.

1-2 Rock Pipits this morning, plus Garganey still, Peregrine, Red Kite, Water Rail (heard calling), single Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sand and Dunlin and 3+ Yellow-legged Gulls. Still small numbers of Swallows passing through southwards and a few Blackcaps & Chiffchaffs still around. Grass Snake seen on the Heron Trail.

Insects included Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters in good numbers, plus Comma, Small Copper and Peacock Butterflies enjoying the warm sunshine. Several Vapourer Moths noted also.

Highlights today were 2 juvenile Little Stints fairly early on this morning, plus Garganey, 3 Rock Pipits and a 2cy Caspian Gull. Single Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, the first Goldeneye of the winter, 4 Pintail, Egyptian Goose, Yellow Wagtail and a small group of southbound Swallows made up the supporting cast.

Still plenty of Common Darters and smaller numbers of Migrant Hawkers on the wing, plus 2 Common Blue Damselflies. Several Comma's and a Common Blue butterfly also.

Highlight today was a single RAVEN mid morning seen over the north end of the pit complex sparring with a Common Buzzard and then a Sparrowhawk, before it was slowly lost from view distantly to the north-west. Also this morning were 4 Ruff briefly, 4 Dunlin, Turnstone through, 4 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Red Kite, Peregrine and Hobby. 6 Buzzards were circling together over the visitors' centre around midday.

(Meanwhile, nearby Grafham Water today claimed a mega seabird in the form of a SOOTY SHEARWATER, which showed well all afternoon off the dam.)

Single Curlew Sandpiper through NE late afternoon today. Otherwise fairly quiet, with 6 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Hobby, Marsh Harrier & singing Cetti's Warbler all of note. Plenty of Butterfly activity around the complex, including 1+ Clouded Yellow.

2 RAVENS seen again today over north end of complex at c.16:00. Also PECTORAL SANDPIPER still, 2 Turnstones (flew north), 8+ Dunlin, Golden Plover over, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Juv/1st winter and probable adult Caspian Gull, Wheatear and several hundred hirundines around again, occasionally attracting the attention of two Hobbies.

Waders

PECTORAL SANDPIPER still present today, although distant and very elusive. Also present were 4 Ruff, single Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, c.10 Snipe and c.450 Lapwing. The adult Caspian Gull was seen again this afternoon, plus a juvenile Red Kite and c.100 Swallows this evening.

Pumphouse Pit: juvenile PEC SAND again this morning, although very elusive most of the time (despite the pictures below suggesting otherwise!). Also 3cy Caspian Gull, 4 Ruff, Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, c.30 Yellow Wagtails & a Whinchat.

[Instructions for viewing as per yesterday. Please avoid entering the private quarry areas.]

Above Pectoral Sandpiper & below Whinchat, Pumphouse Pit.

Pumphouse Pit: juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER along bund, although often elusive. The bund is viewable from the public right of way viewpoint at the NW end of Pumphouse Pit, grid ref: TL206663. Also juvenile Caspian Gull, 2-3 Ruff, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Curlew (flew west) and Egyptian Goose family, plus a single late Swift with 200+ hirundines. Grey Wagtail and 3 Meadow Pipits flew over in morning.

Island Pit: 3 Little Egrets, Green Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler.

Heronry North: Marsh Harrier over.

Little Paxton village: Grey Wagtail flew over NW end of village in evening.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Wheatear along farm track on west side of Farm early afternoon, plus two Barnacle Geese flew north; Red Underwing moth on edge of wood at north end of farm.

Island Pit: Little Egret and Green Sandpiper on mud in SW corner of pit.