Really starting to hot up.....

Before the heavy rain arrived this afternoon, many of the regular watchers had connected with SANDWICH TERNS at the reservoirs today. First thing, a party of 3 adults pitched in on the bund and roosted in front of the hide until at least early afternoon, when Dave Bilcock left them. Dave also saw two additional birds on Startop's while a further flock of 7 spent the morning at Grovebury Sand Pit, not that far away just south of Leighton Buzzard. Dave Hutchinson obtained these superb shots below....

Ian Williams had a GREY PLOVER fly through too, as well as a DUNLIN, whilst also 'new in' were up to 9 Green Sandpipers and a single GREENSHANK. Steve Rodwell had 2 BLACK TERNS whizz quickly through Wilstone whilst also noted were 3 GARGANEY, 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Grey Wagtails and a big increase in dabbling ducks, particularly Common Teal and Shoveler. The single Pintail remains, as does the eclipse drake Wigeon.

On the Hills, at least 7 COMMON REDSTART are present, with 5 below the main car park, 2 near the S-bend and others on Steps Hill, with 3 Northern Wheatears in the sheep fields. A LITTLE EGRET flew west this afternoon - my first-ever at this locality.