29th April - cloudy, breezy, 8C, feeling cool

Another poor day, at least dry if cool.

Stanford reservoir; a look here this morning hoping for some migrants to have landed.  There was reported several Common Tern earlier, when I got there there was one, but importantly it was sitting on the new raft. The reservoir was full of Swallows with lesser numbers of House and Sand Martins.  

After a short while a flock of 11 terns flew in - Arctic Terns -  these looked great and were actively feeding. Also, a little distant from my position but I tried digiscoping them.  Unfortunately I could not get a clean focus, nevertheless I have added some fuzzy photos a you can still see the main features of Arctic Terns.  Also, the first Cuckoo was heard by some, pretty late this year.

Brandon  marsh; after lunch a look here, with the wind a bit fresher, so much was keeping down. Still, more |Sedge Warblers were around and a few Reed Warblers were singing. Single Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were singing as were Cetti's Warblers.  A pair of Shelduck, several Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and Mallard, one with a new brood of ducklings.  Waders included Oystercatcher, Redshank, 4 Little ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper.

I also heard a Cuckoo call once, which was nice but just indicative of the effect of the cool breezy weather.