Rutland Water and Eyebrook - 1/9

An early start at RW was initially disappointing with only a single juvenile Ruff on lagoon 4 along with good numbers of BH Gulls and Lapwings. This was due to a higher water level than had been seen previously. Moving on to lagoon 2 things started to pick up. Here the water level was clearly wader friendly as the presence of a juvenile islandica BTG, several juvenile Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and a pair of Greenshank testified. Minutes later a Kingfisher flew across in front of Smew hide perching briefly on one of the tern rafts on the lagoon. This is the 1st Kingfisher I have seen at RW for over a year !! Next came Lapwing hide and here were many Ruff, 3 Greenshank, several Little Egrets and a fishing Osprey. Then in the bay to the right of the hide I noticed a wader feeding. Initially I thought it may be a Wilsons phalarope but it proved to be an adult Spotted Redshank, another bird I had not seen at RW for some time - March 2009 to be precise ! From RW I next visited Eyebrook and at the inflow I was pleased to discover the 2 Curlew Sandpipers seen earlier in the week alongside 2 Greenshanks, 2 Ruff and an adult Curlew. Soon an Osprey appeared and attempted to catch some breakfast before disappearing. A walk along the north shore produced good numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, a showy Great spotted Woodpecker and a single Treecreeper. After lunch I returned to RW where the only significant sighting was an adult Yellow - legged Gull in the North Arm. All in all a very good day !