A few migrants and LRP's protected - we hope.

Mainly cloudy, 16°, light SSW.

Managed to get out today so a walk along the Bunk line was in order and Alan out along the Marsh/River.

Firstly, a Willow Warbler singing in the small wood by the school was a good start followed by a Tawny Owl hooting near the brook.

Up at the gravel pit were 10 Tufted Duck, 3, poss 4 *Little Ringed Plover, 2 Mallard and singles of Black-headed Gull and Lesser Blackback Gull.

A good number of Yellowhammer, Blackcap and Chiffchaff in song today, plus another Willow Warbler at CSW, 2 Jay, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Common Whitethroat, Green Lane, Little Owl, Kestrel and a Yellow Wagtail flew over towards Cholsey Hill.

The River/Marsh: Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti’s Warbler, Water Rail, Swallow and Grey Wagtail.

Late afternoon at the Gravel Pit were 3 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Tufted Duck still, a single Lesser Blackback Gull and 2 Little Ringed Plover.

Mammals: Brown Hare.

Butterflies: Brimstone, Small White, Orange Tip, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

*Alan had a meeting yesterday with the site supervisor at the Gravel Pit in Cholsey regarding the potential breeding of at least one pair of Little Ringed Plover.

Grundon’s (who work the pit) site supervisor was very accommodating regarding the bird’s presence and stated that the area they were frequenting would be left alone.

We will continue to monitor the progress of the LRP’s throughout their stay at this site.

If successful this will be the first record of LRP’s breeding in the parish.

These birds are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and thank you to Grundon’s for assisting in this and to Alan for being alert to the situation.

Little Ringed Plover(s)

Yellow Wagtail ↕ courtesy Alan