Another gorgeous day today saw further signs of spring on Hartland Moor, with 10 Swallow heading north, alongside 4 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warblers, and considerable counts of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit & Skylark. The recently arrived Cuckoo was also heard and seen in the south-west corner of the moor.

Slightly further afield a single Osprey, likely CJ7, was photographed over Morden Bog this morning.

At Lytchett Fields this afternoon there were once again 8 Little Ringed Plover, joined by 1 Ringed Plover and a hunting Marsh Harrier. The approach field held 36 Pied Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail, whilst the Bay beyond had 449 Black-tailed Godwit and a single Dunlin in summer plumage.

At Fleets Corner (PCW Drain) a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing as was a Garden Warbler, plus there were 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcap there too.

Swineham was also a hive of activity, with 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Teal and 2 Egyptian Geese on the Stilt Pool, and a single Green Sandpiper on the remaining pool at Bestwall. A total of 14 Reed Warblers were heard on territories along the Two Rivers Walk and there was a single Sedge Warbler in the reeds at the far eastern end of the main gravel pit. Also heard and seen were 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Med Gull over the Frome Valley and a Skylark 1 singing in the Piddle Valley.

The highlight however was a flock of 7 calling Whimbrel which arrived down the Frome Valley and circled over the Stilt Pools before returning back upstream. Wonderful birds and as more begin to arrive in for the spring, now is the perfect time to sit out in the garden in the late evening and listen for them passing overhead. Here’s an idea of what to listen out for:

Wheatear – Greenlands Farm