The ‘Bird Walk – Migrants’ went well today with eight of us present. We saw Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Cetti’s Warblers. There were Swallows and Sand Martins by the railway bridge. As the morning warmed up butterflies emerged with Brimstone, Orange-tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Green Hairstreak and Holly Blue all seen.
This morning there was a Whitethroat near the Large Gravel Pit as well as plenty of singing Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs. A Green Sandpiper flew over the Slurry Lagoon and was later seen again on the Eco-park, along with three Little Ringed Plovers. IP.
This morning at Netherfield there were seven singing Willow Warblers, three singing Whitethroats, four singing Sedge Warblers and two singing Reed Warblers. A Raven was seen being mobbed by two Carrion Crows close to the railway bridge. PS.
During this morning’s Bird Count, a lone Arctic Tern flew through and a Little Gull flew through with a Black-headed Gull flock. A Whitethroat was singing near the river and 33 Blackcaps, 19 Chiffchaffs, 16 Willow Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers were heard singing. PS.
This morning two Reed Warblers were singing in the north-east corner of the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. There was still only one Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, but a few more Swallows are in. PS.
This afternoon two Common Terns were back on their platform in the Deep Pit. JMD.
Although beautifully sunny there was still a cold north wind blowing so not much migration was noted. A Swallow investigated the nest sites under the railway bridge, so it might be the first one of our birds back. Several Sand Martins flew through and there was a northward passage of Skylarks. Six Common Terns were on the Deep Pit and two Sedge Warblers were singing. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon were a very smart pair of Wheatears. PS.