Saturday 13 May 2006

RSPB Central London local group visit to Amwell Gravel Pits and Rye Meads reserve.

Amwell Gravel Pits

Station: blackcap singing, screaming swifts.
Canal: sedge warbler showing very well. A few whitethroats also showing.
Viewpoint: little ringed plovers, common sandpipers, redshank, common terns, cormorants, cuckoo, lapwings, reed bunting, reed warbler singing.
Highlight of the day: spotted two kingfishers chasing, then one flying back and landing. Brilliant flash of orange and blue. Very exciting to see them for myself and not have them pointed out for me.

Rye Meads

Another kingfisher, long way from hide.
More common terns, swifts, cuckoo.
Good view of whitethroat and great spotted woodpecker from Otter Hide, then a spotted flycatcher. Originally thought to be a garden warbler, but it turned round and revealed pale streaked breast. Typical flycatcher behaviour: seemed to be on a piece of string.
Stock dove. Reed and sedge warblers singing. Solitary willow warbler singing.