This Month’s Sightings

3^rd – 1 Little Grebe, 3 Tufted Duck and 1 male Reed Bunting collecting nesting material seen at Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Grey Heron seen flying South over the pond. 1 Blackcap singing near Watson’s Bridge, pair of Long-Tailed Tit seen nest building canalside E of Nadee, 1 Jay seen flying over Stanhope Wood, pair of Bullfinch seen near Hicklin’s Bridge and 1 male Yellowhammer singing North of Hicklin’s Bridge

7^th – Treecreeper seen at the Ballast Hole Pond

8^th – Pair of Grey Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler (first in this area this spring) and a pair of Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works, 1 female Bullfinch seen east of the treatment works, 1 male Yellowhammer seen adjacent to the railway line east of Stanhope Wood

11^th – Hawthorn in flower adjacent to the entrance to Stanhope Hole Conservation Area

14^th – 2 Swallows seen on wires by Heath Farm, Heath Lane

15^th – 1 female Mallard with 5 ducklings seen on the canal S of the treatment works, 4 Lapwing, 83 Black Headed Gull, 1 Stock Dove and 110 Fieldfare (a late sighting) seen on the freshly cultivated field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 2 Swallow seen flying over Heath Farm, 3 Mistle Thrush seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way