RUTLAND

HIGHLIGHTS: Some 1,046 Black-tailed Godwits passed through Rutland Water (17th-22nd), with a further 100 (28th). Sandwich Terns were at Rutland Water (4th & 14th) with a Short-eared Owl there (26th-27th). There were Ring Ouzels at Manton (18th & 21st) and Rutland Water (20th). RUTLAND WATER: There were six Whooper Swans (5th), two Garganeys, a Scaup throughout, Ruddy Duck (8th), Red-necked Grebe (1st), two Slavonian Grebes plus a Great White Egret (2nd) and a Marsh Harrier (13th). Waders included a Grey Plover (9th), five Whimbrels, Bar-tailed Godwits (10th & 19th), a Turnstone (13th), Sanderling (13th-15th), Green Sandpiper (19th) and Greenshank (20th). Common Terns were noted from (9th), with Arctic Terns (14th, 21st and 65 on 27th). Little Gulls were noted (1st-23rd). There were four Yellow-legged Gulls and two Caspian Gulls (10th). First dates were Cuckoo (17th), Swift (19th), Hobby (27th), Nightingale (22nd), Redstart (24th), Wheatear (9th) and Yellow Wagtail (4th). Two Stonechats were present (14th). A Crossbill flew over (24th). OTHER SITES: Two Mandarins were in Exton Park (10th) with one at Fort Henry Ponds (17th) where there was a Marsh Harrier (13th). A Cuckoo was near Uppingham (22nd). A Grasshopper Warbler was at Leighfield (11th). Three Waxwings were at Oakham (2nd). A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drummed at one site (2nd). A Nightingale was in the east of the county (23rd). Redstarts were at Manton (4th & 15th) and Martinsthorpe (11th). Five Wheatears were at Luffenham Airfield (19th). A Tree Pipit flew over Leighfield (3rd).