around 16 swifts this evening , flying over the playing fields,.[logged with the RSPB survey ] ..... Also 4 seen together in Draycott village Tuesday and Wednesday

8-May-2019
6 Black Terns before the front, with heavy rain, swept thro’ mid-morning, then numbers had increased to 31 by the time I left at 12:20 hrs. Also 2 each of Common and Arctic, and 2 Commic Terns.

After a few days away, a welcome return to the patch this afternoon, with 7 (increasing briefly to 9) Black tern. Much less scarce nationally and indeed locally was a single Sanderling, however this was yet another new patch bird for me. 4 Common sand also present, and the Mallard duckling appear to have reduced to 7ish. On another note, I haven’t seen the male Mandarin since late March - perhaps breeding nearby?

Just an Arctic tern & couple of common sandpipers this morning. Apparently the gannet was caught last night

Mike

After a tardy start, I was delighted to have located a White winged tern at the res this morning. There was some initial confusion over the identification as both Black and White winged terns were present, and I had spent the best part of 2hrs attempting to capture/organise the RSPCA to capture the Gannet. I took a few images as I had noted the white rump and black underwing coverts which are diagnostic of White winged tern, but lighting and the confusion of 2 birds cast doubt. Reviewed the images this afternoon and disseminated news via twitter. Nice to see a good number of locals (and not-so locals) turn out for a cracking bird.

I’ll provide an update on the gannet asap, RSPCA have confirmed they will attend on Tuesday.

I saw the Gannet at around 9.30 near the Yacht Club.

Ad gannet at the s end of res now, thanks to Alex C for the heads up!

22 Arctic tern this afternoon at the res, also 1 Common sand, 40+ House martin, 8 Swallow, 5 Sand martin.
Highlights from earlier in the week include an arctic tern, drake Shelduck and a pair of pochard. Common sand numbers have fluctuated to some degree, but the highest count this week was 7 birds on Weds pm and again Thursday am. Fair bit quieter than this time last year, despite some promising weather on Wednesday and Thursday.

Singles of Arctic tern, Common & Lesser whitethroat and 2 Common sand this am.

7 common sandpipers on the west side late afternoon , 14 newly hatched ducklings nead the Axbridge Rower and 3 green woodpeckers (1 on the grass feeding and two heard).

took a walk down Stubbington Drove this am, towards the river, distant cuckoo , pair of Bullfinch [m&f] Blackcap[m] Kingfisher at the river, Reed Bunting[m] Willow and Reed Warblers ,single of each, but noticed there seemed less chatter in this lane than i have in previous visits [approx 6 areas of chatter today] ..several Tortishell butterfly, 3 deer and a field mouse

Some wader passage in the last 24hrs, with Redshank and Dunlin yesterday, 10 Common sand this morning, then 7 Common sand and a single (different) dunlin this evening.

Ad Little gull along south side of res briefly this pm before heading SW.

Also, late morning a male Redstart in scrub by the information board on the east side. 2 male Yellow Wagtails and 1 White Wagtail on the west bank.

First early morning visit for a while rewarded with a large flock of hirundines held up in the stiff north-easterly breeze: my estimate is at least 300 birds but probably many more, mostly sand martins but some house martins and swallows too.  Also, along the west bank: 5 common sandpipers, 8+ pied wagtails and 14 linnets. 2 willow warblers south of the clubhouse.