Searching for migrants

Did not feel like spring early this morning as blue sky’s slowly clouded up and a light chilly wind kept the temperatures down. Watched the 5am pass of the space shed then it was down the pond via Thurlaston for a quick peep before any disturbance. Water Rail in toft shallows along with Treecreeper, male & female Shoveler, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Gadwall. Still plenty of Common Gulls hanging around along with a few Greater Black-backed Gulls and eventually both the Long-tailed Duck and Great-northern Diver showed themselves. 10+ Sand Martin were in greys barn. Next port of call was Napton on the Hill which was had 6 Raven, Lesser Redpoll, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Mistle Thrush and a Goldcrest. A well-earned breakfast at the long Itch Diner before a look at the Wormleighton Reservoir where there were 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Tree Sparrow, Marsh Tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, plenty of Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting and Great-spotted Woodpecker. Nearby Avon Dassett hills was our next spot where unfortunately the dog walkers were out in force here and though we managed a Red Kite and a few Buzzards there was no sign of any passerines. For our final destination we headed north east across the county to Morton Bagot where a long staying male Green-winged Teal was on show near Church Farm on the furthest pool. Not the most inspiring rarity on the planet but a good year tick for the county. On the way home we called in the pond again for coffee just as the rain came in and managed a brief view from the visitor centre of a first winter Little Gull that was found yesterday.