The first evening field trip of the year was on Tuesday 11th May, when Martin Sell led a walk at Woolhampton, starting from the car park of the Rowbarge. A Barn Owl was hunting in the first field next to the gravel pit. It gave outstanding views as it flew across the field, perched on a fence post and then dived down to into a clump of long vegetation, where it was joined by a Kestrel, which appeared to be trying to steal its prey. A pair of Yellow Wagtails was spotted in the next field. The male was a strong yellow, while the female was paler in colour. The next sighting was a plover on the mud at the water’s edge, but without a telescope it was impossible to confirm whether it was a Ringed or Little Ringed Plover.
Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were flying above the lake, while Reed and Sedge Warblers were singing from the waterside vegetation. A Hare was spotted nearby and a Cuckoo was heard. As the light faded, the group were thrilled by the sight of 3 Hobbies flying backwards and forwards across the far side of the gravel pit.
with apologies for the quality of some of the pictures, which were of small and distant subjects in evening light
Bird species seen:
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Canada Goose
Shelduck
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Buzzard
Kestrel
Hobby
Coot
Lapwing
Common Tern
Cuckoo
Barn Owl
Swallow
House Martin
Yellow Wagtail
Song Thrush
Reed Warbler
Garden Warbler
Blackcap
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Linnet
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting