Lockdown Birding.....Week One.

Due to the certain threat to us all from the Corona Virus and the government advising us to not travel anywhere,i have thankfully got an area close to home where i can escape to for a few hours on my daily excercise allowance,Kettleby Quarries.
 I have been watching this area on and off for about  the past 20 years or so that i have lived in Barnetby and i have seen some nice bits which has included 2 Black Redstarts,male Redstart,3 Ring Ouzel,Male Firecrest,Temminck's Stint and Black Tern,so it has potential and is certainly a life saver now i can't get to my beloved patch at East halton.So for the next few months,or for as long as this horrible virus is going to affect our lives,my birding posts will be from here and the surrounding area i can walk to.

26th March

An afternoon walk up to the quarries today resulted in me recording my earliest ever Swallow,with a single seen around the old pig farm down Marsh Lane.It certainly brightened the visit up that is for sure.
 Other migrants recorded today included 2 Chiffchaff along the hedgerows and on the pits themselves the incredible sight of Whooper,Mute and Black swans all sat next to each other.I don't have a clue where the Black Swan has arrived from,as i don't think Elsham Hall has any wildfowl on the lakes anymore,but it was nice to see all the same.

27th March

Some welcome sunshine today,certainly brought in a few more migrants,with 5 Sand Martin being seen,my first of the year and the Swallow was still around from the previous day.Three Chiffchaff today along the hedgerows was nice and a further 2 were noted at Melton Ross.The Black Swan & Whooper Swan had both departed to leave the Mute Swan to his mate.
 A total of 5 Common Buzzard were over Wellholmes Holt,thermalling,with much calling and some display which was great to watch and the walk today also revealed at least 12 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock Butterflies.

29th March

A good walk around the quarries today didn't really reveal any surprises and most of the migrants had moved on due to the change in the weather to wintry showers.A few waders on the suitable areas looked promising for the coming breeding season,with 5 Oystercatcher,8 Lapwing,5 Redshank and 3 Ringed Plover being present,but no LRP's yet sadly.

31st March

An early start with Mrs R today,saw us walking along the quarries,up to Bigby and then to Melton Ross and back home.A few niceities included a single Sand Martin over the pits,with all the waders still present and a nice diversion away from the birds included 5 Roe Deer which we got some lovely views of through the scope.
 A single male Corn Bunting singing from wires near Bigby,was the first i have seen this year and was great to see and hear.
 Three Chiffchaff singing in Bigby village were nice and a further Two at Melton Ross added to the days sightings.

All Saints Church,Bigby,31st March.