22nd April - cloudy, clearing to long sunny period, light northerly, 15C

This morning I had a quick look at the local lake area, the Mute Swan was stilling incubating on the nest while Little Grebe disputed their territories.  Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warblers were singing, a single Reed Warbler was singing from the reeds.  A single House Martin flew over, followed a little later by 4 Swallows and a Jay 'scolded' from the nearby trees.

A nice few clumps of Cowslip are just about in full flower now.

Later I visited Stanford reservoir, yet again, my local patch as we say.  Some new birds were around, 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper plus a Redshank.

A Garden Warbler was watched singing near the inlet and a Grasshopper Warbler 'reeled' briefly near to the hide. A small number of Sand martins flew in, with about 10 House Martins high above them.  5 littler Egret were feeding around the inlet where a number of Pied and c10 White Wagtails with 1 Yellow Wagtail were active.

The Long-tailed Duck was still present associating as usual with the Tufted Duck.  3 Shelduck, 2 Goldeneye still and upto 10 Shoveler.  At least two mallard broods are now roaming around the edge of the water. A couple of Great-black backed gulls flew in for a wash, while c40 Black-headed gulls were picking food off the waters surface.