Wymott Ponds Area

[1swallow]

Total of 51 species seen this morning. Two species not recorded on eBird. Singing Greenfinch Nixon Lane end of Pump House Lane and a pair of Long-tailed Tits close to the prison. Along Pump House Lane the same pair of resident Yellowhammers were present and Skylark.

Near the main muddy pool there were 4 Lapwings, 1 displaying and a single Oystercatcher on the farmland. I was just about to continue when I heard Mediterranean Gull above my head. Eventually located 2 summer-plumaged birds circling high overhead before moving off north.

The field next to the Wymott fishing ponds still contained 49 Fieldfares and 1 Redwing, also singing Goldcrest close to the road. No sign of the Great-Crested Grebe this morning.

I then crossed the railway line and walked the edge of the field. The farmer was still ploughing the field. A mixed flock of Buntings flew into the hedge by the railway. I counted 8 Yellowhammers and a minimum of 6 Reed Buntings. Also 2 Linnets flew over. The Yellowhammer in the big hedge across the field was still singing.

I then walked towards the tractor. A flock of 260 Black-headed Gulls was in the middle of the field and the 2 summer-plumaged Med Gulls. I superb views of one following the tractor may be 20 metres away.

The woodlands close to the large metalled gates held many singing Chiffchaffs, 3 singing Blackcaps again, several Bullfinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and another singing Goldcrest.

At the end of my walk I had another new spring migrant. A singing Willow Warbler.
Peter Scholes