Grimsbury Reservoir: black tern drops by

Nice surprise at Grimsbury Reservoir this evening: a juvenile black tern joined the three common terns. A couple of times it landed for a rest on the pontoons.  This bird will definitely have crossed the North Sea on its way from where it was raised (probably somewhere in eastern Europe) to Banbury.  The juvenile little ringed plover is also still present.

juvenile black tern

Also two grey wagtails, good numbers of swallows, a few house and sand martins an five swifts.

The two shots below were taken a couple of days ago, in better weather.

juvenile common tern

dunnock

Early morning visit to Tadmarton Heath produced a female redstart and at least ten whitethroats, despite a bit of drizzle.  Also a great crop of blackberries!