23rd April - mostly sunny, light NW, 16C

Before lunch I had a quick look at Shawell lagoons, not too much happening here, a single Little-ringed Plover was feeding, a couple of Great-crested Grebes and Mute Swans, a few Tufted Ducks and a Mallard with 9 ducklings.  A handful of Gulls came in, Lesser-black Back, Greater-black Backed and Herring Gulls, about 25 in all.

After lunch I decided to go to Warren Hills to see if I could find the Ring Ouzels that have been reported there.  Some always drop in here on their northern migration.  I did not find any, nor did a couple of others who were looking too.  It was fairly quiet, a few Skylarks were singing, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, a pair of Stock Doves, a Buzzard being chased by a Carrion Crow and a Coal Tit singing provided interest though, plus the great views.

While there news came in that 2 Black-winged Stilts had returned to Stanford reservoir and the Glossy Ibis had been seen at Cossington Meadows. The latter I had to pass on the way home, so I decided to pay a visit there.

At Cossington along the main track a Whitethroat was singing.  On the upper marsh or Holbley lake there was no sign sign of the Ibis, but a nice selection of other birds including Oustercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, Teal, Gadwall and Little Egret. sedge and Reed warblers could be heard singing and at least 2 Cettis' Warblers were singing too.  Other expected warblers and finches were seen and a Kestrel flew past low.   More searching failed to find the Ibis today, a further visit will be on the cards.