Rutland Water

Friday 14 March

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Only back in Stamford for five days but I did manage to get back on the birding trail with a morning visit to my local patch at Rutland Water.  Much as the site was gradually drying out after all the previous prolonged rain, the pool levels were still very high so that the only waders were a pair of Avocet and the wintering Lapwing, albeit in smaller numbers than when last visited in January.

Whilst fewer birds about, including ducks, I did manage to find a a late Fieldfare, a trio of Black-necked Grebes and an accompanying Slavonian Grebe.  In addition, whilst there were fewer birds making use of the feeding station, there was a regular appearance of a single female and a pair of male Reed Buntings.

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

A full report and list of the 47 species recorded can be found on the alternative blog at http://axarquiabirder.blogspot.com.