After domestics on Saturday, I was looking forward to some local birding on Sunday 19th April. Richard & I set off for our local reserve at Willington Gravel Pits, with the intention of visiting a nearby RSPB reserve in South Staffs, later in the morning, where a pair of Black-winged Stilts had been found on Saturday. As negative news came over the pager, we changed our plans for the rest of the morning. Numerous spring migrants were on the reserve at Willington including a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail, 6 species of warbler, a couple of fly through Goosander, a male Whinchat and numerous Swallow & Sand Martin. I found a single Swift which is one of my earliest records in Derbyshire. So after several hours here, I managed a few year ticks. Later in the morning we visited some local woodland and had marvellous views of Marsh Tit and a calling Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. So all in all not a bad day. The Great Blue Heron on the Isles of Scilly will have to wait for another day! Year List moves on to 176
Marsh Tit – Above 5 images – A pair gave stunning views – South Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Blue Tit – above two images – South Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Great Tit – Above 7 images – Various studies – South Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Robin – South Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Reed Bunting – A rather oddly marked bird – South Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Whinchat – male – Heavily cropped record shot – Willington GP, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Black-headed Gull – Willington GP, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
