More Birds turning up

Less wind today and a bit more sunshine.  A Black Kite flew past the window at breakfast and as soon as I went out onto the garden I could hear an Orphean Warbler singing.  Nightingale, Hoopoe and Cuckoo joined in the chorus and a beautiful fresh Swallowtail butterfly flew by. A pair of colourful Cirl Buntings also came to feed on our grassy areas.

Swallowtail butterfly

Later whilst visiting neighbours John and Hanny we noted a female Pied Flycatcher and a Nightinglae in their garden.  We spent the afternoon visiting more friends and on our return stopped at Minerve to watch 4 Red-rumped Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Crag Martins and a Swallow.

Red-rumped Swallow

We checked a local Golden Eagle site and noted a bird on the nest.  Scanning with a telescope I was amazed to see a female Peregrine apparently sitting on a clutch of eggs.  Obviously the eagles are not around this year.  On the way home a handsome Woodchat Shrike sat on a roadside bush.