Foxcote and The Hills

Chalkhill Blue.

Paul and I took an early morning trip to Foxcote Reservoir and Steps Hill today.

Foxcote is very low at the moment, with lots of exposed mud and looking perfect for wading birds.

Two Greenshank prowled the perimeter along with 5 Green Sandpipers, one Common Sandpiper and a Little-ringed Plover. Ducks present were Mallards, half a dozen Shoveler, a few Teal, several Tufties and about 15 Pochard. A group of 9 Little Grebe was notable.

Moving across the county to Steps Hill, we were hoping to find a few migrants, which we did but only Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Lesser and Common Whitethroats, no Redstarts, Flycatchers or anything better.

One Red Kite and a couple of Buzzards were seen in the distance.

The lack of birds was made up for though by my first ever Chalkhill Blue Butterfly, along with a few Small Heaths.