24th Jul 2015

I had an evening stroll around with John this today. With a easterly wind and rain coming from the east we had hoped that there may be some good birds as a result. It didn't quite deliver what we anticipated but it was interesting enough.

As soon as we got a view of the reservoir we could see a large gathering of hirundines feeding over the water. It was difficult to count them but it was mostly Swallows, at least 15 Sand Martins and a few House Martins. A walk up the valley and around the woods didn't deliver much more, but there were several more hirundines feeding over the Borrow Pit pool. When we got back to the reservoir there was a third Common Tern with the usual two. It was a juvenile and must have dropped in whilst we were away. It shows what birds must be passing by that go unnoticed unless they are forced to stop by the weather. John also mentioned that yesterday there were quite a few Swifts around and we think they must have been birds moving through ahead of the poor weather.