Since returning from Mull, birding the local patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir has been hard work. The 22nd April produced the first returning Common Tern, House Martin, and Common Whitethroat. On the 24th April there was a good fall of hirundines, the most I’ve seen this spring, with c20 Sand Martin, c 30 Swallow and c15 House Martin. On 26th April a real good bird for the site was 6 flyover Whimbrel, calling their diagnostic whistle as they flew south, also 2 Common Tern, 4 singing Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler and 6 Chiffchaff. Very little else and very few numbers of waterbirds on the reservoir. 

There are some significant numbers of Cowslips across the site this year, a real picture. I also noticed a fare few rosettes of Southern Marsh Orchid appearing.