12th May - shores today, light southerly, 17C

This morning early there was a Lesser Whitethroat singing from the field hedgerow just east of the village, also more than 12 Swallows were feeding low over the pasture, so it seems there is a good number back in the village to nest.  To the west several,Skylark were singing over the Spring sown fields.

Mid-morning I made a visit to Stanford reservoir to quickly check out the key areas.  A Female Kestrel flew over, disturbing many of the birds feeding on the mud.  Four Shelduck and 2 Oystercatchers were present, hopefully some of these will rear young.  As for the Common Terns we have about 15-20 on the shingle point that is exposed during the low water period, much noise and display, but will they nest - we hope so. A Tern rest is being built this summer to be in place for next year when the reservoir is back to being full.

Generally fairly quite in terms of new birds then suddenly c10 Ringed Plover flew through and away but 2 Sanderling landed and stayed for only about 5 minutes.

In the afternoon I popped to Wolvey, again to a Spotted Flycatcher location, still a blank.  However, a Nuthatch was busy in the trees and both Blue and Great Tits were feeding young in nests.