Walk along the River Ouse at Overton and local patch mega!

A beautiful sunny day meant that I thought the River Ouse at Overton, a few miles from my house might be a nice location for a dog walk this morning, and it was, after dodging the fields of cows (and bull - thanks for the warning!), horses (and foal) and sheep, a pleasant walk ensued. We walked from Overton towards Beningborough. Straightaway Willow Warblers were evident in the plantation willow crop on the opposite site of the river to where I was walking, with birds singing all along the stretch of river I covered, my first locally, but still not 100% satisfying as they are not on my patch! Several Sand Martin were showing fairly well, hunting the plentiful insects and several looked to prospecting the sand cliffs of the river for nesting. A large swathe of Gorse was full of Linnet, Chaffinch and Goldfinch and Long-tailed Tit was seen carrying nesting material into a willow over-hanging the river. A male Reed Bunting showed very nicely singing away on a fence post.

Insects were very noticeable today, lots of Bees and a few Wasps but numerous butterflies too, commonest was Small Tortoiseshell (c30+) with a few Peacock (c5) and a single Comma, my first of the year.

An early evening walk around the local patch produced a somewhat unexpected Schedule 1 species. Due to the sensitivity of this species, it will hereafter be referred to as 'Species X'. Needless to say this was a new site bird for me so a very exciting find and makes plodding round the local patch feel rewarding, alas still no Willow Warbler but several Chiffchaff and Blackcap still singing with Sparrowhawk noted again with a pair of Small Tortoiseshell getting it on.

Midnight update! Just finished catching up with the IPL, let the dogs out for a final wee of the day and an Early Thorn moth flew up to my light, a nice garden tick!