Half Way Through Week 5

I'm certainly enjoying my enforced work break-I can really see the attraction of retirement though its still some years ahead of me unfortunately.
The birding is still confined to the two different areas that I can get to.
Fairlands Valley has been my go-to when the weather has been amp or cloudy, on the assumption that it will bring migrants down onto the lake shore. Not really happened for me yet, though another local, Andy Day has picked up a few Common Sandpipers on his early visits. One was last Sunday, which I must have missed by an hour or so, but, on the other hand, I decided to head down into Monkswood for the first time in probably ten years and was surprised to hear a Cuckoo! Apparently the first in the valley for many many years, but it only lingered for a few minutes. Otherwise the valley has been pretty much the same on every visit, however numbers of singing warblers have been gradually dropping, and other species are getting a bit harder to find as the breeding season is well under way, and proclaiming territories is no longer a priority.
There have been a few odd ducks now and again, with a pair of Shoveller a few weeks ago, and more recently a pair of Tufted Duck stayed for a couple of days. Hirundines have been regular, with Swallows every day, a few House Martins (now rather scarce in Stevenage) and more recently a few flocks of Swifts have fed over the lakes.
Over in Aston End and Chells Manor, migrants have also been a bit tough. Most of the warblers are now on territory. The Willows that I found in early April appear to have departed, and they are now far less likely to summer these days. On the other hand, there seem to be an awful lot of Blackcaps, Whitethroats and, in particular Lesser Whitethroats this year. Linnets were tough to find earlier this year, but I have found a couple of flocks in the last month, and it appears that Yellowhammer  numbers are healthy.
The route I take has been pretty constant over the last 25 years or so, with the occasional slight detour, but today I decided to do it in reverse and start at Chells Manor. One of the dog walking couples I see now and again have told me that there is still a herd of Fallow Deer here, and I hoped that an early start might be beneficial before it got too busy. I had considered then going north up towards Boxwood and maybe into Walkern, but decided instead the head north east to reach the river just south of Walkern. I think I have really missed something. I knew that there were a few sheep being grazed here but discovered that there lots of fields with short grass, fences and gates-I wonder how many Wheatears have passed through this spot? One thing I did get was a Grey partridge with what appeared to be two chicks.
The river here as I headed south looked promising as well. As I reached the more familiar fields and stable blocks I was very pleased to see a Little Owl fly low and into a hedge. This isn't far from the old nest spot, and while I have heard birds once or twice this was the first actual sighting for around four years. A little way on, a low flying white bird some way away was assumed to be an egret, but once I got it in the bins I was shocked too see a Barn Owl. It stopped in a hawthorn briefly, and its really a pity I don't have a suitable camera at the moment as it was a stunning sight.
Definitely a route to take when I get round to an evening walk.

In the garden, I have been very busy, working most days and gradually getting things in shape for the rest of the year. There have been a few distractions of course.
I get daily flyovers by the local Kite and less regular sightings of Buzzards. Its usually one of the local breeding Carrion Crows that see them first, and the noise they make mobbing there raptors that attract my attention.
Butterflies are more frequent as its getting warmer, with plenty of Small and Green Veined Whites. I have a couple of big Honesty patches this year as well as Sweet Rocket, and so there are lots of Orange Tips visiting. Less regular are the vanessids, with only the odd Peacock, Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral. Although I no longer have any ivy, several Holly Blues pop in.
On Sunday I had my first Large Red Damselfly around the pond, and they are now being seen daily. However there hasn't as of yet been anything else, though I expect to see a few Azures a bit later this month.