Whitethroat new for the year.
Another chilly start. Looking forward to the week progressing into some proper spring weather.
A Whitethroat singing towards the end of Long Hedge was new for the year, joining Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Cetti's Warbler all vocal today throughout the site.
Wader species count is increasing with some migrant birds dropping in on top of the breeding populations; 75+ Avocet, 40+ Lapwing, 8+ Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 19 Ruff with some developing good breeding plumages, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Curlew, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Snipe and Common Sandpiper (pic by Andy Bunting below).
One hundred and ninety two Shelduck on the Mere his morning. Two Whooper Swan on Sunley's Marsh. Fair numbers of Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal, smaller numbers of Tufted, Pochard and Wigeon. We might expect the arrival of a Garganey or two in the next weeks.
Two White Wagtail again feeding around the Mere this morning. Pair of Med Gull on the Mere.
A flock of 12 Corn Bunting in the fields beyond Long Hedge and the Railway Crossing.
A butterfly survey from last week produced 3 Brimstone, 5 Green-veined White, 4 Orange-tip, 30 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell. We can expect more of these on the wing as the temperature increase through the week.
So far this April we have recorded 94 species of bird.
