Middleton Lakes.

The two planned trips out in the week were a complete washout, so it was nice to get up and see some clear blue skies, so a trip to Middleton Lakes was the order of the day even though it was actually overcast while I was at Middleton. Highlights of the day were seeing and hearing my first ever Cuckoo, seeing a Grey Plover in it's amazing full summer plumage and finally seeing a Pheasant Hen with at least four very young chicks, it was hard to tell exactly how many there were because they were rummaging about in some wild garlic. The water levels have risen dramatically both on the lakes and on the adjacent River Tame, a couple of the small islands on the lakes have been almost completely enveloped with water, while the river has risen a couple of feet or so, whilst walking along the river I noticed a very young ducking making a distress call while it was being swept down the river by the very fast flow, I did try and rescue it but it was impossible, I know it's nature and them are the breaks, but I still don't like to see it, it was horrible watching it being swept away to an almost certain demise, poor little thing. Back to something more pleasant, it was great to see the ever so friendly Robin still at the same place, he does love a mealworm or twenty, in fact the Robins, Great Tits, Blue Tits and Chaffinches were very appreciative for a gift of mealworms, suet pellets and bird seeds, but only the Robin is brave enough to eat out of your hand. Another highlight was seeing the returning migrants, it's always a pleasure to have the Swifts, House Martins and Swallows flying and swooping above your head. Birds spotted were Pheasant Hen and chicks, Cuckoo, Blackcap (female) House Martin, Swallow, Swift, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue, Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Starling, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Grey Plover, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Gadwall, Wigeon, Greylag Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and Canada Goose. There was also at least four Mute Swan and one Coot on the nest. I have also had Swifts flying above the house in the last week.