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After a bright sunny morning the weather clouded over and the first raindrops were felt just as three intrepid birders arrived to start the walk. By the footbridge there were Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a Lesser Whitethroat, so at least the warblers were not put off by the weather. The rain came and went in short, [...] [...]
Although beautifully sunny there was still a cold north wind blowing so not much migration was noted. A Swallow investigated the nest sites under the railway bridge, so it might be the first one of our birds back. Several Sand Martins flew through and there was a northward passage of Skylarks. Six Common Terns were [...] [...]
This morning was cool and over cast and not very promising for migrant spotting. Towards mid-morning the clouds started to break up and the sun nearly shone. Over the Deep Pit eight Common Terns squabbled and chased before two pairs settled on the breeding platforms. A Sedge Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit, along [...] [...]
This morning was cold and overcast and did not encourage birds to sing. There were still 11 Chiffchaffs singing as well as 8 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and a Cetti’s. Two Common Terns were pursuing each other high over the site and a Sand Martin and a House Martin were briefly seen. [...] [...]
Despite the hard frost and cold wind there were still signs of spring at the lagoons this morning. On the Deep Pit a Common Tern dive bombed the Cormorants on the breeding platforms. Along the river bank a Willow Warbler was singing and several butterflies, including a Speckled Wood, were seen. PS. AE. Speckled Wood On the [...] [...]
A single Common Tern was resting and preening on the Slurry Lagoon edge late this afternoon. JMD. [...]
This afternoon the Swallows and House Martins were gathered on the wires by the railway bridge when they all took off in alarm as a Hobby made an appearance. They all flew together and kept above and behind it, some making stoops to drive it away. The Hobby seemed unconcerned, making a couple of stoops [...] [...]
This morning, during the monthly bird count, a Red Kite paid a visit to the site. It flew low, over the Slurry Lagoon, before gaining height and drifting away over Carlton. Some Common Terns were moving north along the Trent Valley and a Hobby was seen alarming the Swallows beside the river. There were still [...] [...]
A single Dunlin was feeding along the Slurry shoreline this afternoon and two Little Ringed Plovers were again on the Slurry. The Terns appear to have abandoned the Tern Platforms now their young have fledged and the Cormorants have been quick to take them over. JMD. [...]
This morning there were seven Red-crested Pochard on the Slurry Lagoon. Also present were the two male Wigeon and a male Shoveler. The Gadwall still has all eleven of her ducklings and a Mallard now has five. There is still no sign of the Pochard ducklings though. Two recently fledged Common Terns were dipping for [...] [...]

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