7th May - very warm, 23C, high cloud, Haley sunshine, light breeze, thundery pm and a few spots of rain

I visited Cropston and Swithland reservoirs this afternoon, hoping to see the Mandarin ducks and passing terns.  At Cropston I did see one very smart drake Mandarin duck, usually there are others, but I think evenings are best and the ducks could be sitting on nests.

One Common Sandpiper was on the dam wall.  Otherwise fairly quite on the water, although resident and summer warblers were singing well.

At Swithland there were 6 Common Terns, unfortunately no Black Tern today.  There were at least 5 drake Gadwall and a drake Goldeneye on the small side.  A Green Woodpecker was near the dam and a good selection of the expected birds were around.  An occasional Orange-tip butterfly past by.