May Birds
What follows is a selected review of birds so far recorded on the reserve since the end of April.
Wader passage turned up two new species for the year with Sanderling on the 1st of May followed by Greenshank on the 5th. Other waders in this period included 29 Avocet, 100+ Lapwing (many with chicks), 14 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6+ Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Oystercatcher, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, Common Snipe and Dunlin.
The first Common Swift of the year turned up on the 3rd. A female Marsh Harrier was present on that day too. A 1cy Little Gull was present on the 1st also the 2cy Med Gull. Raven and Merlin were recorded on the 5th. Three Wheatear recorded on the 4th May.
No shortage of singing warblers with Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow, Sedge and Reed Warbler all represented. No reports of Grasshopper Warbler but they are probably still present.
