red letter day

[thebeard]

wouldn't usually post a thread like this, but i had such a good day i thought i'd share it.

went to attenborough nature reserve this morning, arrived at 8am (very early for me, i usually go birding at 11 at the earliest!), testing out my new (and first) scope.

it was an excellent day, with warblers being the main attraction, managed to see-
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Whitethroat
Blackcap

the sedge warblers and whitethroats were great, very entertaining to watch and listen to, but the grasshopper warlber was especially good, as i've never seen one and managed to get great views of it singing from the top of the brambles

Living in nottingham, don't get to see waders much so whenever i see them its extra special. today i saw
lapwings
oystercatchers
2 common sandpipers
and a little ringed plover

added to this i watched a kestrel couple chilling outside their nest box, with the male going hunting once every so often, saw a vagrant ross's goose, first common terns and swifts of the year, along with loads of others! 50 species in all

saw loads of butterflies too which was great, especially the orange-tips and speckled woods

over and out

[Pete Collins]

Sounds like you had a great day! You clearly put your new scope to good use.

I've not seen much so far this year, a few Blackcaps are the only warblers I've spotted.