Holywell Evening

25^th April.  A couple of hours spent at a quiet Holywell this evening began with a sighting of the American Wigeon.  A lifer for Sam, and only my second sighting of this species.  A kind of twitch without the twitchers I suppose, so the kind I like.  On our return from the dene we popped in for seconds and also found Common Sandpiper and a Grasshopper Warbler reeling west of the public hide.  Also around were Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon Pochard and Tufted Duck.

Probably more enjoyable was some quiet time in the dene spent watching Dipper and Grey Wagtail and listening to bird song including of course Chiffchaff and Blackcap.  I’ve made a note that we must do more of this.

Two Grey Partridge were seen with two Red-legged Partridge on our short walk.  Brown Hare was also seen and Kestrel and Yellowhammer were amongst other birds seen.  It began to rain heavily as we made off for home and the Song Thrush above the public hide was still singing.  We’d not found  Common Whitethroat.