This morning I made a survey visit to a local arable farm, the farmer wants to know what birds are present and whether the areas he leaves are adding value. I shall make several visits during the breeding season to gat a good picture of whats about on the farm. There as a reasonable number of Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Linnet. Skylark seem to be holding territories in the crops and a pair of Reed Bunting were along the small brook. A Kestrel was on the trunk of an old cracked tree, it may have nest there. Two Whitethroat sang from the bushes and a Chiffchaff sang from a small tree corner. A Barn Owl pellet was found on the filed near the rough grass area. In all I think the area will support a nice population of birds, we shall see after more visits.
Unfortunately, the Mallard nest on the bales has been predated, not sure by what. The nest was scattered and no sign of eggs or shells.
I went to Pitsford reservoir this afternoon hope for some Terns passing through, not to be, just a couple of Common Tern that were nesting on a raft. Generally, there birds were in short supply for a Spring day, and migrants were few. However, there was a large number of House Martins, with a good number of Swallow and Sand martin too, about 50 Swift appeared at times. Only single Yellow wagtail, what a contrast to Draycote Water. A pair of Oystercatcher have a nest on a raft, one, presumably the male was keeping an eye open and often flew on to a post.
Otherwise a nice selection of the usual resident and common warblers were trying to sing, even as the rain changes from a few spots to heavy and the wind freshened, feeling cool for a while.
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