Tawny Pipit dots

big mistake in timing -- as they say should have gone yesterday! nice Pipit but not really compensation --found one at Spurn in September 1981 -- that seems a long time ago

Local oddments

Black-necked Grebes and the Slav

pair of these beauties on the local patch today -- of course I was elsewhere so thanks for the call Mike -- they were never close enough for really good shots so 2x with the 500 and looking down on them a bit but cracking birds; went back at dusk and they had joined up with the Slavonian Grebe and all were bathing and preening as if getting ready for their next flight and its a clear night

Long-tailed Duck and Pochards

the LTD showing well today -- these first summer birds always seem to get lethargic come April -- maybe just turning into typical teenagers sleeping 95% of the day

Chiffchaff

still by far the commonest migrant on my patch; a few Blackcaps now and Willow Warbler, 3 Swallows and a House Martin today but still no acros or anything responding to the southerlies

Arctic Redpoll

saw this bird briefly on Waters' edge on 1st but have looked since and not relocated it -- just heard a quiet redpoll call today and walked into the alders to find this bird a Mealy and 4 or 5 Lessers -- a bit elusive but sen by quite  few people this afternoon and showed very well when it came down to drink and my camera was having a lay down in the car!!! so some up in the air shots