Rutland Water and Ketton - 31/8/11

Today I started back at Green Bank and the resident waders were still around - 5 Greenshanks, 5 juvenile Ruff, a Green Sand and 3 Curlew were all feeding around the shoreline of South Arm III. A single Barnacle Goose was spotted alongside the large flocks of Greylag and Canada Geese and at least 6 Little Egrets were distributed between the North and South Arms. A single adult Yellow Wagtail was perched on the fence in the field behind Green Bank. The North Arm held just a single adult Ringed Plover. An unforeseen stop at Ketton quarry in the afternoon did pay dividends though. First, an adult Hobby flew over the quarry, heading south. This was the 1st Hobby I have seen since April/May. Then an immature Marsh Harrier flew over the scrub and forest to the south soon followed by a Buzzard soaring over the same trees. Finally, a pair of Sparrowhawks were located in a plantation close to the start of the footpath. Not bad for a ten minute spell !