More Local Wanderings......3rd,4th,5th and 8th April 2020.

More sightings from local walks from home due to the continued lock down,saw some nice sightings being recorded,the following is a summary of what i saw.

3rd April

Today i decided to walk up to Elsham,then walk down Middlegate Lane to Melton Ross and then back to Barnetby,seeing one person on my travels was great.
 Not a great deal of excitement bird wise today,but a handfull of Chiffchaffs provided some interest along with a handful of Grey Partridge.
 Also seen on the walk were 23 Brown Hare and 3 Roe Deer,which was really nice to see.

4th April

A walk around Kettleby Quarries,then up Bigby,then to Melton Ross and home saw some nice bits being seen today.
 Highlights went to a couple of male Little-ringed Plover at the Quarries,several Chiffchaff and 3 singing male Corn Bunting,with my first Blackcap of the year near the small pond above the quarries,on the hillside.
 A few butterflies today included 4 Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock in the sunnier conditions.

5th April

Today's wander around the quarries and outer edges of the village in some lovely weather,saw an impressive 73 species being recorded.
 Highlights included 2 Barn Owl,6 Little-ringed Plover,8 Chiffchaff,male Blackcap,11 Sand Martin,1 Swallow and my first Willow Warbler of the year.
 An unexpected highlight observed along the edge of the railway was only my second ever village Common Lizard.

8th April

This morning i walked from home to Kettleby,then up to Melton Ross and back home along the railway side,seeing a decent upsurge in migrant numbers with at least 5 singing male Blackcaps in the area,15 Sand Martin,9 Chiffchaff another Willow Warbler and at least 5 Little-ringed Plover.The latter are still working out who's territory is what,so much displaying and chasing each other is still taking place,which makes for some entertaining watching.
 The big highlight today though,went to a cracking female Merlin which i watched chase and kill some prey and proceed to pluck and eat it on the fields to the south of the quarries.This is only the second time i have observed the species around the village,so i was pretty chuffed to say the least. 
 A few butterflies were observed today and included Brimstone,Peacock and Small Totoiseshell.

Looking Towards St.Mary's Church.

The small pond on the hillside above Kettleby Quarries.

A Map Of The Village Patch Encompassing Barnetby,Bigby and Melton Ross.