There were several interesting birds about on this morning' early bike ride around the plains but the most unexpected was a solitary lapwing feeding among the stubble. The species does not breed in this habitat and I assume that it has been disturbed from its usual breeding location or that it is a very early passage migrant.
An oriole is calling as I write this and I heard two others during the ride. A male appeared briefly in my garden earlier in the week.
Several stone curlews were visible in the stubble fields today. They appeared to be family parties and flew some distance when disturbed so it's difficult to say exactly how many different birds wer around but probably between six and nine. Their noisy nocturnal wanderings have brought them close to the house on several occasions recently.
Several quails were calling and corn buntings seem now to have formed small flocks or family parties.
The black kites which have been following the ploughs recently were not to be seen but a male hen harrier made an appearance.
The pair of red backed shrikes were in their usual spot.
The weather has not really settled down yet this summer .Clear skies such as today's have been curiously uncommon and the wind has been in the north for a while. In fact it was so cold and wet last Sunday that I fled to northern Spain for four days!
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