Pond and Ryton Meadows

I did not get the chance to get out till yesterday afternoon when we paid a brief visit to the pond but all that was on offer from the visitor centre was 300+ Swift.

Did slightly better this morning when over 3000 Swift were present along with 200 House Martin and a Common Tern, also my first Mallard brood of the season.

After Marmalade and Toast at the Long Itch Diner (cooked breakfasts don’t go with my new figure) we moved on to the Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Ryton Meadows Reserve where they were holding an open day. Unfortunately the dull weather was not ideal but they certainly put on a good spread. 6 Buzzard, Cuckoo male and 3 Great-spotted Woodpeckers noted.