Lunt Meadows.

Mark took me to Lunt meadows for a quick look this afternoon, great place and quite a few people about.

We had only just got past the entrance gate and a Hobby made an appearance and as it was a first for Mark a great start.

Two Hobby's were showing well hunting dragonfly's over the water.

The dragonfly's wings can be seen after being discarded.

Quick walk after work.

Took a walk after work today, nothing out of the ordinary apart from a lone Green sandpiper that came quite close.
Plenty of birds around just nothing unusual, saying that I did see my first Stock dove around these parts.

Few more pics from the last few days.

Kestrel at Fineshade Woods.

Little Egret at Rutland Water.

Rutland Water.

Weather turned out ok today so headed to Rutland for a few hours.
I was hoping to see the Spotted Redshank that has been present for a few days but no luck today.

A single Black tern was around over lagoon 4 along with a few Arctic terns.

Plenty of birds around today, Hobby made an appearance over the big meadow along with a green and great spotted woodpecker.

A few reed warblers have nested near to shoveler hide providing good views.

As usual the common terns provide a good show, they are impressive to watch and slowly becoming a favourite of mine.

  

RSPB Minsmere.

Took a trip to Minsmere this afternoon, bit of trek but a great place to visit.

It was very busy today I thought it might have been a bit quieter during the week, but with Spring watch still running the numbers were up.

After a 40 minute wait in one hide waiting for a seat and to actually see out of a window I gave up and left.

I did manage to see a Bittern fly over doing the feeding flights.

I also managed to see my first ever Bearded Tit, they are fantastic little birds and their moustache is great to see. Unfortunately I think the wind was keeping them low in the reeds.

Another first for me was a Sandwich Tern a single juvenile sitting on a distant island out of east hide.

Cetti's are in abundance at one point I could here 4 calling at once.

Good to see a male Hobby and Marsh Harrier hunting over the reed beds also today.

Hope to get back here soon when it is not so busy, on the other hand I did get to see the resident hero Spineless Simon   

Osprey chasing at Rutland water.

Took a trip to Rutland for a few hours this afternoon hoping to see an Osprey.

After an uneventful first hour I was then rewarded with 4 ospreys fishing at quite a distance, they dived a few time but came up empty handed.

So I took a walk around to an area hoping to get a better view, lucky I did as they came a bit closer but no where near frame filling.

 This one is ringed 1J and after taking to the staff he has just arrived.

Looking straight at me.

Rutland Water.

Quick call in today just see what was about.

A Cuckoo was around yesterday but no sign today.

I was surprised when I sat down and a Hobby came flying over hunting dragonfly's, and to be fair doing quite well.

Quite a few Red kites showing up around the area also today.