23rd April - some nice steady rain through the early hours, ceasing about 0700h. Sunny spells, light-mod NE, 14C

Lilbourne Meadows;

I looked both early and late but nothing new, just a good selection of the expected species.  A drake Shelduck, two Little Egrets, a couple Yellow Wagtails etc

Stanford reservoir; late morning.

A couple of Black terns were reported, so I popped to have a look.  One had departed the other was still one was showing well.  Along with four Common terns, whilst watching these I noticed that, in fact one was different and was indeed an Arctic Tern, quickly followed bu another.  This was a bonus.  However a short while after I left more Arctics arrived, up to 28, and a little later 44 were reported.

A Common Sandpiper on the dam.