Easter Update

       Not a bad Easter as I had some time to go birding at last. On Saturday I had my first Little Ringed Plovers this year when I spotted 3 from Tower Hide on Black Hole Marsh. A Common Sandpiper joined them as did a Greenshank. On the estuary 3 Whimbrel fed alongside a lone Curlew. I also caught up with singing Reed & Sedge Warblers.
       On Easter Sunday I headed up to Ratshole gate area where 30 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, Kingfisher and several Grey Wagtails seemed reward enough. However, just as I was leaving I heard a call which made me turn round. No, it wasn't a massive House Martin but a Green Sandpiper, my first on the Coly this Spring. Monday provided nothing new but I expect that Barwits might be next...

House Martins

     Managed a bit of birding yesterday and got my first 4 House Martins this year over Coly Common/Bridge Marsh area. Lots of Swallows and Sand Martins too.
     Earlier, I had a Snipe and a Common Sandpiper on BHM. This was my second Common Sand of the weekend as I got a really nice surprise on the Coly on Saturday when one appeared alongside the Dipper I was watching! Still present on Sunday too.

Cuckoo

      I got a complete surprise by visiting Colyton picnic site this afternoon when I heard a Cuckoo calling several times distantly. I didn't see it and couldn't hear it repeat its call for 15 minutes so moved on to the wetlands. There seemed to be more Blackcaps about and at least 2 Greenshank (one BHM, one on estuary). Six Shoveler (5 drakes) were on BHM too. Some very smart graellsii LBB Gulls brightened the estuary.
     On Monday I finally connected with a hirundine, a Swallow near Kings Down Tail (I think it's called) from the bus.
      Best I could manage at Coly Common on Sunday were 4 Wheatears to round off March, including my first female this year. Apparently an Osprey flew over whilst I was there but being hidebound I missed it. Enough said.