30th April 2010 - Fine morning, showery afternoon, south-westerly wind.

The female type Blue-headed Wagtail, the female Wheatear and a pair of Yellow Wagtails remained from the previous day and lingering around Car Park Hide. A Hobby perched briefly in Siden Hill Wood before moving on.

29th April 2010 - Sunny, light south-westerly wind, rain forecast for this afternoon.

Four Swifts came in with about ten Sand Martins at 8.20 a.m., but aside from that most of the interest was limited to Warblers. One Grasshopper Warbler continues to reel from opposite Oak Hide, and there was a noticeable increase in Sedge Warblers today, with a minimum of eleven counted across the Reserve. Both Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warbler were singing either side of the car park gates, and there appear to be at least eight Whitethroats now, five on the Old Road, one on the causeway, one by River Hide and one on the railway embankment. I think that there are only two Chiffchaff pairs, three Willow Warblers and probably only four Blackcaps, but I would be interested in other people’s views.

The pair of Teal and the drake Pochard remain.

The arrival of the rain just after mid-day triggered the fall of some birds of interest, with the best being a female type Blue-headed Wagtail around Car Park Hide (along with two male and one female Yellow and a White Wagtail), very bright female Whinchat and Wheatear in the crop field south of the car park, and a steady passage of Swifts with at least 60 through by mid afternoon. A Common Sandpiper was also present for much of the day on Car Park Pool.

28th April 2010 - Hazy sunshine, light south-westerly wind.

A Cuckoo was heard again and the first Speckled Wood of the year was noted in the log. At least ten Common Terns, a Common Sandpiper, two Swifts and the first brood of Mallard ducklings were the other birds of note.

27th April 2010 - Sunny light south-westerly wind.

The Grasshopper Warbler continued to reel from opposite Oak Hide. Yesterday’s Garden Warbler was singing by the car park, the Lesser Whitethroat by the cottages and there was a Snipe in the Marsh.

The evening proved to be the best time of the day with Green and two Common Sandpipers, a Peregrine, female Goosander, Kingfisher and two reeling Grasshopper Warblers audible from Oak Hide on the opposite side of the river. Common Terns reached a new record for the year so far, 31.

26th April 2010 - Overcast start clearing slowly to further sunny weather.

A Grasshopper Warbler sang intermittently on the causeway during the morning and either it or another bird was then reeling from the river bank opposite Oak Hide in the afternoon.

Additional birds of note during the day were a single Dunlin and Common Sandpiper, eight Common Terns, a Swift, the first Garden Warbler (which sang by the car park gates) and, in the late afternoon, four Yellow Wagtails on the grass by Car Park Hide.

A drake Pochard and three Teal remained on Car Park Pool during the day.

In the evening there was an impressive 22 Common Terns.

25th April 2010 - Light overnight rain and evening showers.

The best birds were in the evening when at least eight Yellow Wagtails and a male White Wagtail fed in front of Car Park Hide and a Swift joined at least 150 Sand Martins over the pools. What was presumably one of the Grasshopper Warblers from Friday reeled away from the thick grass and scrub on the river side of Railway Pool, opposite Oak Hide. There were also 16 Common Terns in the evening, a pair of Tree Sparrows visited the Oak Hide feeder and two Swifts flew through during the morning.

24th April 2010 - Sunny, clear light south-westerly.

Not an enormous change in terms of birds today, though Reed Warblers increased to three and Sedge Warblers to six. The Lesser Whitethroat continued to sing around the entrance gate cottages.

Counts included a single Great Crested Grebe, five Dabchicks, four Mute Swans, 14 Greylags, three Canadas, two Shelduck, a male Shoveler, a female Teal, 22 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 54 Tufted, two male Pochard, 20 Coot, eight Moorhen, four Oystercatchers, three Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, 21 Lapwing, eight Redshank and a Snipe.

Other birds of note included a Peregrine and Yellow Wagtail (both of which flew over) and five Common Terns.

23rd April 2010 - After another cold night, the weather was again beautifully sunny and the wind was less cool, coming from the south.

The day started well with two Grasshopper Warblers reeling from the Old Road hedgeline and scrub between the car park and the entrance gate cottages. One bird in particular is remarkably yellow toned. Between 8 and 9 a.m., a summer plumaged Golden Plover rested on Railway Pool, but was hassled by the breeding birds and departed soon after.

Pairs of Teal and Shoveler remain, as does the drake Pochard.

Later in the afternoon the first Reed Warbler of the year was singing from the pond by the car park.

22nd April 2010 - Another frost and then continuing sun, but cold westerly wind.

A male Ruddy Duck on Car Park Pool this morning was the first of the year. One wonders how much longer we will be seeing this species as the eradication programme has apparently killed 90% of the British population.

Other birds included six Yellow Wagtails, a Dunlin (different from yesterday’s), eight Common Terns and a Peregrine. There were at least two Common Sandpipers on Car Park Pool as well.

The large willows along the river have now been pollarded, which has opened up the view between the new scrapes on lower Siden and the Reserve. The hides are nearing completion and I hope to be able to make an announcement fairly shortly on their opening. Most of the works within the woodland have been done, but the field has to be fenced for stock first.

In the late afternoon and evening, there were five Yellow Wagtails, three singing Sedge Warblers (two in the Reedbed) and an excellent count of seven Common Sandpipers.

21st April 2010 - Cold north-westerly wind, after a light frost, sunny thereafter.

A Lesser Whitethroat which showed and sang well along the Old Road, north of the Car Park, was the best bird of the morning. There seemed to be a small arrival of Willow Warblers too, with at least six birds singing on site. There has been a noticeable arrival of this species on the south coast (see the Portland Bill web-site).

A Sedge Warbler sang from the causeway along with the regular Cetti’s and a pair of Common Terns frequented Railway Pool.   There was a female White Wagtail in the horse paddocks by the back gate.

Later in the day, eight Yellow Wagtails, three Common Sandpipers, a Dunlin, two Tree Sparrows, six Common Terns, five Snipe and a Green Sandpiper were all added to the days list.

20th April 2010 - Mostly sunny but with a cold and strong north-westerly wind.

Noticeably less migration today, but five Yellow Wagtails dropped in to the grass in front of Car Park Hide and a female Wheatear appeared very briefly at about 1 p.m. in the same spot. A Common Sandpiper was on Car Park Pool and 150 to 200 Sand Martins were present, with just a single House Martin.

Later in the day at least eight Yellow Wagtails were around Car Park Hide, including a female, and a further seven or eight possibly different birds were around in the evening, along with five Common Terns.

19th April 2010 - Hazy sun. Light southerly wind.

A rather tatty Whimbrel called as it flew north over Car Park Pool at 7.20am this morning. It may well have roosted on the Reserve. Otherwise, still three male and one female Shoveler, a male and two female Teal and a drake Pochard remain.

Then, either the first Whimbrel or a second bird was seen very briefly and heard calling at 08.45am. A Swift also appeared about the same time (first of the year) and lingered until early afternoon along with approx 150 Sand Martins and a House Martin. Two Common Sandpipers and a summar plumaged Dunlin also appeared at the same time, on Railway Pool.

In the afternoon three Greenland type Wheatears were showing well by the Dragonfly Pond and further additions during the day included four late Common Gulls, fiveYellow Wagtails, two Common Terns and a new Whitethroat, the latter between Oak Hide and the south west pond.

In the warm weather, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone were on the wing, and a Polecat was seen in the rabbit burrows around the Oak Hide.

Other notable birds included a Green Sandpiper briefly on Railway Pool, two Snipe and, in the evening, three small bats, probably Pipistrelle, and two Noctules were around the Car Park.

Last but hopefully not least, a second Cetti's Warbler was heard to call (contact call similar to Wren not the loud explosive one) and was seen by the causeway screened to the reed bed at the same time as the male was calling along the central stream - all in all, a good day!

18th April 2010 - Sunny, light cool northerly, clouding over in the late afternoon.

New migrants in today included the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year which sang by the mobile phone mast west of the river, a Sedge Warbler, which sang from the south end of the Reedbed, two ‘new’ Whitethroats, a Yellow Wagtail, a brief visit from a Common Tern and a Common Sandpiper.

17th April 2010 - Sunny, warm, light and variable, mostly northerly winds

Despite the fine weather migration is still slow. The best bird of the day was the first Wheater of the year; found initially on the Tip field, by 2pm it was preening happily away on the roof of Car Park hide. Although not a full “Greenland” type it’s brightness and size nevertheless suggested one from Iceland or the Faroes.

A pair of Common Tern, at last, seemed to have returned to Railway Pool. This time last year four pairs were back. The Cetti’s wandered up and down the streamline, often favouring the bramble patch on the causeway / central stream junction. Other warblers now on site are three pairs of Chiffchaffs, two pairs of Willow Warblers, four pairs of Blackcaps and so far, just a single pair of Whitethroat.

The sunny weather was more than warm enough for butterflies and numbers included two male Orange-tips, two Commas, seven Peacocks, a small Tortoiseshell, a male Brimstone and the first Green-veined White of the year.

Waterfowl counts included two Great Crested Grebes, five Dabchicks, 11 Cormorants, three Herons, five Mutes, 23 Greylag, three Canadas, a pair of Shelduck, 28 Mallard, 19 Gadwall, five Shoveler, 73 Tufted, a drake Pochard, 34 Coot, eight Moorhen, four Oystercatchers, four Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, 26 Lapwing, eight Redshank and six Snipe.

16th April 2010 - Sunny, light north easterly

At 7.30am a Common Sandpiper toured the Pools but could not be found later. A Yellow Wagtail also flew over. A single Snipe was on the west shore of Car Park Pool and the Cetti’s Warbler sang regularly from the west end of the causeway and showed occasionally. He would appear to be un-ringed.

15th April 2010 - Mostly overcast, cold north easterly wind

A single Common Tern was present for most of the day and an impressive seven Yellow Wagtails was the maximum count although single birds were present for much of the day. Two Tree Sparrows, presumably at the Oak Hide feeder, were the first for some weeks.

14th April 2010 - Overcast start but clearing by mid morning. Mostly sunny day but the cold north easterly wind remained.

Seven or eight Swallows were present on Car Park Pool at 8.30am but they soon dispersed. Two male Yellow Wagtails and a male White Wagtail were on the islands in front of and the grass surrounding Car Park Hide. At 12.30 a Peregrine, probably a female, caused the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls on Railway Pool to fly up in panic. The passage across the Reserve was initially audible, from the alarm calls of the small birds, before it was finally spotted over the crop field.

15-20 Yellowhammers are still coming in to the wheat from the spinner feeder.

In the evening the work party was very well attended. 14 people inspected the new hides which are nearing completion and then undertook planting within the wood and car park areas. Thanks to all who attended.

During the work party five Terns appeared over Railway Pool at approx 7.30pm before departing to the north, four were thought to be Commons but one may have been an Arctic. Two Housemartins also fed with a small group of hirundines over Car Park Pool.

13th April 2010 - Sunny but cold north easterly

Seven male Ruff was an excellent find by Steve Bradley this morning. All males, slowly moulting into summer plummage and one particular bird was of a dark variant with red legs and red bill and bore a passing resemblance to a summer plummage Spotted Redshank. Two Hobbies were also seen along the railway embankment but they quickly disappeared. Two male Yellow Wagtails were on the shoreline in front of Car Park Hide.

In the sheltered areas along the footpath to Siden Hill Wood, the first Orange-tip butterfly was on the wing and at least three Small Tortoiseshells two Peacocks and a Comma were feeding on the recently opened blackthorn flowers.

The weather turned cold overcast and drizzly in the evening but a Hobby was seen again and the Barn Owl finally appeared at 8.30pm.

12th April 2010 - Mostly overcast, cool north easterly

A Green Sandpiper put in a very short appearance and other migrants were limited to two male Yellow Wagtails, 30 Swallows, ten Sand Martins and a House Martin.

11th April 2010 - Sunny, cold north easterly wind

The cold wind took the edge off another sunny day and subdued migration. The bird of the day was a Jack Snipe which showed well in the Marsh, first thing, but as usual disappeared out of sight later. A late Redwing was seen in Siden Hill Wood, two Yellow Wagtails fed on the grass in front of Car Park hide and 50 Swallows moved through in the afternoon.

10th April 2010 - Sunny, cool light northerly wind

A small arrival of Blackcaps took the total from one to five, a second Whitethroat sang along the top stream and a Sedge Warbler gave fitful bursts of song on the Causeway. . The Cetti’s moved from the Reedbed and sang regularly from the streamline to River hide and then just north of the Causeway on Car Park Pool.

Wader and Waterfowl counts included two Herons, three Cormorants, four Great Crested Grebes, ten Dabchicks, nine Mutes, four Canadas, 13 Greylags, pairs of Shoveler and Teal, 13 Gadwall, nine Mallard, a substantial and noteworthy 88 Tufted, a male Pochard, 31 Coot, 16 Moorhen, ten Redshank, five Oystercatcher, 26 Lapwing but only two each of Ringed and Little Ringed Plover.

An immature male Peregrine put in a brief appearance in the morning, two single Yellow Wagtails flew over and as the weather improved three Peacocks and a Brimstone were on the wing.

9th April 2010 - Sunny light westerly

The best birds of the day were the first Whitethroat of the year which sang on the Old Road, a Common Tern which visited briefly in the morning, and a Yellow Wagtail which showed in the early evening along with the Barn Owl.

Other birds included three Snipe, eight Redshank, four Little Ringed Plover, two Ringed Plover, five Oystercatchers, the Cetti’s, ten Yellowhammers, five Teal and a Pochard. Two Peacock butterflies were also on the wing.

8th April 2010 - Sunny, light, cool northerly wind.

It feels like the first day of spring, with the weather at last being somewhat more respectable than of late. The lack of hirundines today is testament to the better weather. Birds of note first thing were restricted to a single female Goosander and a Yellow

Wagtail, whilst the Cetti’s remains in the Reedbed.

Duck numbers today were quite respectable, considering the lateness of the season, and included a lingering pair of Wigeon, a male Pochard, pairs of Shoveler and Shelduck, 55 Tufteds, 14 Gadwall and four Teal.

A dozen Yellowhammers, at least, are still dropping in to the grain by the spinner, and should always be worth a check just in case they pull in something more unusual.

Four Common Tern arrived at 19.50, circled the car park, then the railway before departing high, north.  The Barn Owl  was seen on and off from 18.00.

At dusk, a Tawny Owl called along the Old Road and 50 Sand Martins congregated on Car Park Pool before roosting.

7th April 2010 - A front moving east caused a wet start.

Nine Meadow Pipits flying over and 15 to 20 mixed Swallows and Sand Martins were the only sign of things on the move. Yesterday's four Goosanders were again present.

Two additional bits of news for today, were the first Sedge Warbler of the year singing near the causeway screen and a Common Sandpiper in the evening.

6th April 2010 - Dry, occasional sunny intervals and strong southerly wind.

News helpfully phoned in to me today included the first Common Sandpiper of the year, on Railway Pool, four female Goosanders, Blackcap and both Yellow and White Wagtails in front of Car Park Hide.  The first Common Tern of the year was present during the morning and in the evening a female Yellow Wagtail joined the male, and a Redwing was in song in the back gate copse

5th April 2010 - Mostly dry, overcast and cool strong southerly wind.

The hirundine passage continued today, with an estimated 100 Swallows through at least, slightly fewer Sand Martins and a couple of House Martins. The Cetti’s called occasionally.

Aside from about 10 pairs of Lapwings, up to six Oystercatchers and eight Redshanks are regular but only single pairs of Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers seem consistently present. The latter includes the colour ringed bird.

At 6.30 p.m., two adult and a first-winter Common Gull dropped into Car Park Pool. It would not surprise me if these are the last of the year. At the same time, a male Yellow Wagtail showed in front of Car Park Hide. There are few better looking birds. Finally, a second female Goosander joined the usual bird.

4th April 2010 - Mostly dry, north-westerly wind.

In the morning, the Cetti’s sang its heart out, a full version of which I had not heard before. Aside from parts of the explosive and familiar call, the song was interspersed with many phrases reminiscent of Nightingale and Garden Warbler. The Collins guide describe it as “Listen!....What’s my name?....Cetti-Cetti-Cetti- that’s it!” Interesting variation on a theme! Needless to say, the bird never showed.

At least 26 Yellowhammers and 12 Linnets fed in the crop field. 15 Swallows, six Sand Martins and a House Martin that fed over Car Park Pool at 9 a.m., was just a pre-curser to significant passage during the day and at least 250 hirundines (mostly Swallows) moved through in the afternoon. The first Blackcap of the year sang by Patrick Farm, and a Curlew flew north in the evening.

3rd April 2010 - Showery, south-westerly wind.

A dawn visit yielded seven Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, Grey Wagtail, what was presumed to be yesterday’s Merlin, and six Snipe.

The weekend waterfowl count included two Great Crested Grebes, 11 Dabchicks, six Cormorants, one Heron, 10 Mutes, three Greylags, four Shelducks, 19 Mallard, four

Teal, two Shovelers, 17 Gadwall, five Wigeon, 41 Tufted Ducks, two Pochard, 22 Coot, seven Moorhen, five Oystercatchers, eight Redshank, two Ringed Plovers, two Little Ringed Plovers, 22 Lapwing, 150 Black-headed Gulls and 10 Yellowhammers.

In the evening, hirundines were feeding up before roosting and these included 50 to 60 Swallows, the first two House Martins of the year together with a handful of Sand

Martins. The Barn Owl also showed.

2nd April 2010 - Showery morning, heavy rain pm.

The bird of the day was a cracking male Yellow Wagtail which, with two Pieds, fed on the receding floods by Patrick Bridge. It was the first of the year. The Cetti’s sang all day, too. A juvenile Merlin showed briefly in a bush opposite Car Park Hide before flying off to the south. Judging by its size, it was a male.

In the evening, the crop field held 64 Linnets and 30 Yellowhammers, mostly at the south end, whilst the Barn Owl showed wonderfully well around the car park. 15 Swallows also fed over Car Park Pool as the weather deteriorated again.

1st April 2010 - Bright and sunny, but cold.

Graham Rowling has kindly called this morning to record a Cetti’s Warbler singing from the east side of the Reedbed. This is the first for the Reserve and although expected it is nevertheless exciting news. The Warden at Lakenheath said to me that it would take ten years for the species to arrive in a new Reedbed and he has been proved correct.

The Goosander and Little Egrets were also apparently present again this morning.