Napton on the Hill & Napton Reservoir

A late start today due to needing a few hours sleep following nights saw me arrive at Napton on the Hill at 1015. Parking by the church, I walked past the windmill and down into the quarry. Bird song was superb with many warblers present. Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were busily competing and it was good to see my first Whitethroat of the year. The brief call of a Lesser Whitethroat drew my attention to the bird which was soon lost into the bushes. A Cuckoo was calling from the distant farmland, but alas, not seen. My attention was then drawn to three flyover Raven's heading towards Shuckburgh and four Buzzard's soared overhead. A call from the woodland sounded very out of place for the time of day, it was the call of a male Tawny Owl, but sadly not seen. Other interesting observations were Mistle Thrush and Sparrowhawk and the field above the quarry held five Fieldfare. A complete list of sightings is at end of post.

Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Leaving the Hill at 1230, I headed for Napton Reservoir, which was rather quiet. A solitary Sedge Warbler sang out from the reeds for about ten minutes and two Cettis Warblers competed. I spent a while taking photo's of two very obliging Great Crested Grebes and Mute Swan before meeting and chatting with John J on the embankment.

(More Images on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings:

NAPTON ON THE HILL 1015 - 1230. Robin; Wood Pigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Wren; Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Magpie; Pheasant; Willow Warbler; Moorhen; Coot; Linnet; Song Thrush; Whitethroat; Starling; LBB Gull; Lapwing; Cuckoo; Dunnock; Mallard; Lesser Whitethroat; Green Woodpecker; Bullfinch; Fieldfare; Cormorant; Skylark; Raven; Tawny Owl; Jay; Buzzard; Stock Dove; Mistle Thrush; Sparrowhawk; Swallow.

NAPTON RESERVOIR 1240 - 1430. Rook; Moorhen; Dunnock; Carrion Crow; Coot; Great Crested Grebe; Mallard; Mute Swan; Chiffchaff; Dabchick; Tufted Duck; Cormorant; Wren; Magpie; Jackdaw; Skylark; Chaffinch; Blackbird; Canada Goose: Cettis Warbler; Raven; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Reed Bunting; Kestrel; Sedge Warbler; Willow Warbler; Pheasant; Black Headed Gull; Goldfinch; Sand Martin.