Wednesday 20 April 2016

20th April 2016 ENE5 Clear

What a difference a day makes! The onset of the dreaded Spring strong north-easterly winds with clear skies. We arrived at Birling just as Bob was leaving the seawatch that he had endured in the cold windy conditions for half an hour for very little reward. We tried Chat Vale where the only Summer migrants seen were 3 Swallows flying east into the cold wind. The Old Trapping Area lacked any shelter in the cold wind and we didn't venture further east armed with the knowledge that Swallow was the only Summer migrant Laurence had seen in the Hollow. Belle Tout wood proved more sheltered but just a couple of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler were seen.

Swallow 3 E
Blackcap 2
Willow Warbler 1
Chiffchaff 2

Male Blackcap in Belle Tout Wood