Local Patch - 03/04/09

A cold foggy morning followed by blazing sun.

New in today: A single House Martin a five Barn Swallow lingered for a while in the fog, but eventually moved on. A third Little Ringed Plover joined the pair and much displaying/chasing occured. The Sedge Warbler was singing but remained shy.

A pair of Pied Wagtail have favoured the site recently.



Mute Swan



Whooper Swan (plastic)

Local patch - 21/03/09

At Dunstable STW the fine weather continued, new arrivals included a Greylag Goose, an Egyptian Goose (a site tick for me), a Great-crested Grebe, and two Sand Martin.



On Nina's pond, the pair of Whooper Swan (of Wardown park origin) posed for the camera.

Dunstable STW

17th Apr:

A Barn Swallow takes a rest from feeding in the keen easterly wind - the hirundines were keeping very low above the water taking advantage of the insects on the leeward side of the plantation.



16th Apr:

The first Sedge Warbler of the Year for the site was keeping low at the front of the lagoon.



A pair of Blue Tit were foraging in the dead stuff above the Sedge Warbler.





A small 'charm' of Goldfinch fed alongside a pair of Linnet.



A Green Sandpiper was, suprisingly, the first this year at the site. The Whooper Swan 'on patrol' chases off a Canada Goose.





A pair of Grey Wagtail wait to feed - the male showing a black throat patch.

Dunstable STW

Starting bright but clouding over by lunch, much cooler too. The Blackwit has left the building. A dozen Common Swift feeding over the lagoons with all three hirundines present too. A couple of Yellow Wagtail through; Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hobby and Common Buzzard seen. Missed a brief view of an early returning Water Rail.



A pair of Wardown Park Whooper Swan are still present.



One of two loafing Grey Heron.



Speckled Wood



Small White



Yesterday, a fresh looking Shaggy Inkcap ...



... now looks like this

Dunstable STW: Migrants at last

A Clear night to the south with fog locally - could we see some migrants ? Well, once the fog had cleared three Sand Martin flew through and a pair of Little-ringed Plover appeared. Residents included an obliging Kingfisher which posed briefly, and the 'plastic' pair of Whooper Swan took time out to preen.

Dunstable STW: Wildfowl 'n Waders

This pair of Whooper Swan are, unfortunately, the progeny of Wardown Park captive/pinioned stock.





The first Green Sandpiper of the year has been present for a week or so. Here, the bird is showing off its leg-iron.



A menage a trois. If they were rare, genuine vagrants would I, perhaps, get enthusiastic about the Canada Goose ?



Smart wildfowl in the form of Gadwall