My first Sand Martins of the year!

A fairly slow watch today considering that it is mid April:
05.50-09.00
Brent Goose: 144E
Shelduck: 3W
Gadwall: 4E
Common Scoter: 139E
Red-breasted Merganser: 1E
Red throated Diver: 8E   1 on
Fulmar: 8E    2W down
Gannet: 12E  31 around
Oystercatcher: 25E  2W
Whimbrel: 1E
Curlew: 1E
Great Skua: 2E     1W
Arctic Skua: 9E    (8DP 1LP)
Little Gull: 1E
Kittiwake: 5E
Sandwich Tern: 316E
Commic Tern: 432E
Guillemot: 8E
Auk sp: 8W      8E
Swallow: 2 in

Bearded Tit at Hayfield 3

A walk from Springfield Bridge around the hay fields eventually produced my first 2 Sand Martins of the year, several Swallows, a couple of Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers and Cetti's Warblers. The hay fields look as though they will hold several pairs of Lapwings and Oystercatchers, hopefully they will attract some migrant waders.

Female Wheatear Dengemarsh Gully

Dengemarsh Gully was very quiet apart from 3 Wheatears and 9 Linnets. I was unable to find any phyloscs there.

A wet walk to the pines in the rain produced a couple each of Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers, while Reed buntings seem to be abundant. Over the lake c20 Sand Martins, c15 Swallows and 6 Common terns. 

A mid afternoon sea watch from the point was as expected in the rain very slow.

14.00-15.00 from the turning circle

Brent Goose: 44E
Common Scoter: 10E   5W
Red-throated Diver: 1E
Fulmar: 1W
Gannet: 6E
Ringed Plover: 2 on beach
Sandwich Tern: 4E
Common Tern: 5E
Wheatear: 7 on beach

A look at The new Diggings from the causeway saw 2 each of Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes of note.