Easter Weekend

Friday 6^th April

Leaving London at ¼ to 11 we headed for Peterborough for the weekend after getting caught for a short time on the M25 once on the A1 all went well a short stop for coffee at the Baldock services we reached Peterborough just after 14-30 after a short break we headed for Thorney where there had been a Great Grey Shrike but not why we where there, So onto Guyhirn to the Chill Out Cafe where we found 4 Common Cranes (new bird for Carol) we then had a look at Nene Washes where we found another Common Crane so 5 for the day not a lot else as it was getting towards dusk and we had a long day we finished for the day.

Saturday 7^th April

Today we headed for Titchwell on the North West coast of Norfolk after a short stop to see if we could see the Shrike again no Luck we then stopped to watch the 4 Common Cranes Again we then continued on to Norfolk stopping for a short time at Snettisham but as the tide was out a long way and the wind and the rain started we then continued on to Titchwell where we had a nice relaxing afternoon birds seen here included Marsh Harrier, Wigeon, Shovler, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Avocet, Black Tailed Godwit, and the nice Spotted Redshank that had wintered here so a good opportunity to get some pictures of it in summer plumage (pictures to follow) we then headed to the beach where we found the Velvet Scoter on the sea on the shore line we had Knot, Sanderling, Bar Tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, We then started to head back to the car park where we had plenty of common species in the bushes plus our first Willow Warbler of the year after a coffee we then headed to Hunstanton cliffs here we found Fulmar not a lot else as the tide was still out so we had a look of the sea front at Hunstanton here we found some Eider, Common Scoter plus the gulls you would expect so now we headed Peterborough so ending a nice relaxing days birding

Sunday 8^th April

Bird wise this was going to be a short day but that did not stop us having a very interesting morning one of those mornings that just get better as time goes on first stop was Rutland Water for the Ospreys that we knew had returned we had the pair at the nest too far for any decent pictures but very nice this was all we had intended to do, but then we decided to have a look at Eye Brook Reservoir we drove around the edge till we found a spot to stop and set up the scopes where we could scan the water (if you know this area we stopped on what is called windy corner where you can see over the trees on the other side of the reservoir right this is bird of prey territory what took place happened over the next half hour Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, 8 Common Buzzards, Female Goshawk, Osprey at one point we had Buzzard, kite , Goshawk & Sparowhawk in the air at the same time all be it for about 10 minutes so back to Peterborough for a chill out afternoon at the pictures and a meal then baqck to home after a short break the brother said he knew a spot for Barn Owl so off we set not long after we got there one flew along the river/drain so we continued further along the road where he said we should be able to find another one which we did it sat in a tree for a short time then flew into the barn also along here we had 3 Whooper Swans now as it was getting dark back to Peterborough so ending a great raptor and chilled out day

Monday 9^th April

Just a mornings birding today we headed to Ferry Meadows not been here for some time as we started out there was some light rain so we headed for the sailing club area he we had a good number of Sand Martins where I found a couple of House Martins with them we also had Swallow we then decided to have a coffee so we retired to the cafe out of the rain while sitting here I found a Little Gull on the far side of the water we then parked near the main entrance after a quick look at the information centre we headed to the hides and a walk through a wooded area not a lot from the hides but in the bushes/trees and scrub we had good views of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, a selection of tits and finches on the walk back we had a bird singing on the far bank I said that does not sound right for a Blackcap then the bird put in a appearance and tuned out to be a Garden Warbler so a nice end to our weekends bird then back for lunch before we started for home

Year list stands at 193