3rd April - cloudy morning, sunny spells later, occasionally low cloud/dull, light S/SW wind, 14C

This morning a single Meadow Pipit flew over north, a Blackcap gave short bursts of song on the old disused railway.  At the feed station a Nuthatch, 4 Tree Sparrows and 10 Yellowhammers were feeding, 2 male Great-spotted Woodpeckers were disputing who should feed on the nut feeder.

Two Mistle thrushes were quite noisy, probably because they were very actively collecting nest material and taking it to a nearby tree.

An afternoon visit to Eyebrook reservoir was made to see what migrants could be found.  Two Yellow Wagtail were searching the rushes along the waters edge and a single Little-ringed Plover was feeding on the exposed ground at the inlet end.   ~20 Swallows appeared, together with a similar number of Sand Martins and 3 House Martins.

On the water there were still 2 Goldeneye, 4 Shelduck, quite a few Gadwall and a good number of Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common and Black-headed Gulls.  A Grey Heron and 2 Little Egrets were feeding at the waters edge, 2 Red Kite passed over and a Kestrel was hunting the rough grass.  Linnets, a Bullfinch pair and Chaffinch were seen, on the bird feeder at least 2 Tree Sparrows and 2 Greenfinch were present.  A Green Woodpecker repeatedly called from the woodland.

In the long rough grass, around the reservoir, there were many Pheasants, the cocks often displaying and accompanied by one or more hen bird.