Round up

Few bits and bobs:
Sunday early morning - at least 2 Smooth Newts in the pond next to Shenley Wood.

Monday - Manor Farm Gravel Workings, a lunch time visit - 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Swallow, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Buzzards, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Little Egret. Site looks good for spring wader migration!

Tuesday (today) - Gallows Bridge BBOWT NR, Rob and I set off from MK at 05:20 and were first to arrive in the car park as dusk approached at 05:55. We set off towards the hides which we could just make out in the gloom. Scanning the large open meadow in front of us it wouldn't be hard to see if last nights COMMON CRANE was still on site this morning. My bins (10x) could barely pick out the Canada Geese. So I set up my scope (20-60x) and started to scan. My first impression of an object was a white carrier bag stuck on the fence line, it wasn't until the neck and head appeared to start moving, so I paid closer attention. Eventually I gave up and asked Rob to have a look - 06:17 - bingo it was the Common Crane, Bucks ticks for both Rob and I. We were then joined by a Northants birder in a suit and tie! and enjoyed the Crane for another 10 minutes. We then had to head back to MK before the rush hour started and to get the family up. Other birds on site (in the gloom) were Curlew, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and a few bits of wildfowl. There appeared to be more Hares in the meadow than birds, you could see their black tipped ears walking under our scoped views as we watched the Crane.
Nice when a planned twitch and Bucks tick come together.