My Old Patch

Nipped to Grafham Water, Cambs yesterday before the band reunion in Suffolk. Delighted to bump into my old mate Mark Hawkes at Mander CP and thrilled to see c30 Arctic Terns dipping and swerving over the Res. One of the highlights of Grafham springs was the occasional visit by these uber-migrants, so to pop in when some were present was pretty lucky.

As the Somerset Hudsonian Godwit had done a bunk, I had another visit to Grafham this morning. Conditions looked good, with murky overcastness and a light northwesterly blowing, plus a hint of drizzle around my ears. No sign of any Ring Ouzels by the old fave spot, but I spied three drake Common Scoters distantly off the lagoons - nice! Further on, a small flock of small waders proved to be two Sanderling and six Dunlins on closer inspection. A whistle or seven and a Whimbrel bombed overhead and off east. This was proving to be great! Lots of common migrants around, with Yellow Wagtails cavorting around the dam, Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats singing heartily from the scrub. Down to Mander and at least ten Arctic Terns were with a similar number of Common Terns. The Arctics were joining the Commons on the boom allowing some great views. Grafham Water at its best - brilliant! Why did I ever leave?!