Whinchat

Dave kindly dropped me off early via the half way lane entrance to the pond and there were plenty of warblers singing near the M45 underpass but the open water from toft seemed dead. Had been there over an hour before the first decent bird appeared with a Peregrine followed by distant views of Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear before meeting up with Bob back from his Easter break and had just left him when a male Whinchat appeared in the hedgerow before flying on to farborough bank where he managed a pic before the pram pushers flushed it and despite searching for 45 minutes could not be re-located. Looking from the spit produced small groups of House Martin over biggen bay and a few Swallows over country park and kites Hardwick.

Whinchat by Bob Hazell

Met up with Paul C for coffee and gossip then it was over to Wormleighton with Dave for another look at BR Rebuilt Light Pacific 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton hauling the Cathedrals Express from Andover to Stratford on Avon. She was running 10 minutes late due to a slow freight train which was put in to the Fenny Compton sidings so she could pass.

travelling so slow the driver was eating his lunch

BR Rebuilt Light Pacific 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton approaching Fenny Compton (top pic by Dave Cox)

Returned to the pond as it started to drizzle but nothing flew over.