14-5-11, Croxall GP

I was up decently early today but couldnt get my act together quick enough and didnt get down to Croxall to way after sunrise. I was, again, beaten to the hide from a regular visitor and he had scared anything decent away. Birds noted were Sedge Warbler, Reed warbler, Common Whitethroat, Teal, Pheasant, Canada Geese, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Tufted Duck, Coot, Chiffchaff, Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Common Tern, Blackbird, Buzzard, Sand Martin, Woodpigeon, Black Headed Gull, Swift, Redshank, Magpie, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Cormorant, Pied Wagtail, Dunlin, Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Jay, House Martin, Greenshank and Shelduck. Not a bad few hours in the hide but with the winds from the west (ish), there was small chancer of anything decent showing up.

Whitemoor Haye.

I was planning to do more birding through the day but after popping home for breakfast/lunch and doing a few jobs I felt a bit knackered so I decided to have a rest and watch Man Utd become champions and Man City win the cup. After that I headed off to Whitemoor Haye with the dog and we walked the lanes. That was the plan anyway but as I arrived it started to hammer down so I had a scan of the pool whilst it rained and noted Swift, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, Greylag Geese and Pied Wagtail. After the rain lapsed it was off round the lanes. Birds noted were Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Starling, Blackbird, Lapwing, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Stock Dove, Jackdaw, Rook, Magpie, Wren, Common Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Collared Dove, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Corn Bunting, Goldfinch and Robin. Back at the quarry pool I added Common Tern, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, House Martin, 2 summer plumaged Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, Gadwall, Blackcap, Tufted Duck and a solitary Yellow Wagtail.