15th April - cloudy, light-breezy sometimes southerly, 12C, showers late pm

Shawell Lagoons; a look here before lunch, the Shelduck pair were present before flying off.  A few Sand martins and about 10 Swallows were feeding over the water.  Only a few Gulls were around today as the landfill was not operating.  Otherwise just he usual species as seen recently here.

Stanford reservoir; a full circuit walk this afternoon hoping for more migrants.  Walking from the dam towards Blowers bay a few Swallows were feeding overhead and 4 Buzzards were circling over the adjacent wood.  Then I heard a Sedge Warbler singing, managed to get views of it before it dived in to cover, the first for 2018. A female Goosander was roosting on the shore over the far side, getting late for these here.  Plenty of Tree Sparrows around the feeders.

A Red Kite drifted over the far bank, a crow was chasing a Buzzard, but took no notice of the Kite, a Kestrel was disturbed from the tree.  Three birds of prey seen together is pretty good to see. On the water a single drake Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, ~6 Gadwall, 2 Teal, a good number of Tufted Duck.

Several Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were singing, behind the hide a garden warbler was heard singing, first of the year. A pair of Bullfinch were also nearby. On the dam a pair of grey Wagtails and a single Pied Wagtail. A pair of Red-legged Partridge were on the path.