Busy Bank Holiday Weekend (Friday 29/4/11)

With a 4 day break and early spring it was going to hopefully be a good few days for some togging. My friend Ken had received the location where a grasshopper warbler was showing well so on the Friday we headed off to Attenborough NR in Nottinghamshire. Guess what??? Yes another early start, alarm went off at 4.15 am and i was in the car heading east by 4.45. Upon arrival it was only around 10 mins before we could hear the grasshopper warbler and within a few mins later we spotted it sitting on a fence post approx 3 meters away :)

The grasshopper stayed around for approx. 15 mins before flying off on its route. A sedge warbler could be heard nearby so that was next on our list. The sedge was somewhat harder to get as it just didn't perch up in the open often. Eventually I managed to get a clear shot.

Next we headed up the path a few 100 yards where a whitethroat was displaying very well.

It wasn't long before we heard another grasshopper calling and this one showed just as good as the previous.

Next to show was a garden warbler and chiffchaff.

In between all the warbler activity a few herons went over.

It was now getting late in the afternoon so we decided to head back towards the cars. A singing Wren was heard and spotted so we couldn't resist the temptation.

A quick stop at the river located at the car park produced great crested grebe, cormorant and swans.