Enjoyable morning at Salford Priors

Main Pit

Still no Quail

Mute Swan & with young brood

Cygnets

Breeding Little Grebe

Warwickshire looking superb

Grey Partridge

Turtle Dove

Despite feeling pretty tired from the previous days exploits I was back at the Gravel Pits on Sunday morning teaming up with Jon for our morning walk.

There was little chance on Pophills but it was great to see the brood of nine Shelduck doing well and enjoying themselves.

A juvenile Wigeon was found surprisingly on the main pit, a good June record whilst  a pair of Shoveller had joined the regular. Two Cuckoo were present on the other of the pits along the bypass.

Jon’s prediction of returning Green Sandpiper proved spot as we located three birds. Digiscoping was difficult but I managed to get a single shot through the reeds. This lagoon is looking very good for Autumn passage presuming it's left as it is by the quarry.

As we were watching the Green Sandpipers a Red Kite drifted over the Snipe Meadow and towards the calling Cuckoo. You have to wonder how close these birds are breeding to the pits.

Other sightings included 3 Lapwing, LRP's, Oystercatcher and Grey Wagtail.

A midweek visit to the pits turned into a special one when a Grey Partridge flew over mine and Paul's head and then showing nicely on a grass patch. This is the first Grey Partridge recorded for 2 years which gives us hope they they may be breeding some where in the locality. Whilst Turtle Dove are present I will not be making reference to them for obvious reasons. Thankfully the birds are well tucked away and difficult to find from the wrong type of people.