There's no doubt that birds have been moving en-mass recently with something different every day, making some excellent birding here on the Sands.
Some birds are departing - take the black tailed godwits for example, the other evening I watched as a group of 10 full summer plumaged birds that repeatedly flew north west and then returned to Ousefleet calling excitedly before making that one last farewell and flying off on their way up toward Iceland. And this month has been excellent for the waders, probably the best spring I have seen in a long time with at least 20 species recorded since February and I8 in April - new to the list recently have been green sandpiper and bar tailed godwit but the 17 ruff (not quite in full summer plumes) who were leking in among the avocets on Townend on Wednesday, brilliant! The two spotted redshank have also been present most of the time at Ousefleet where they are now almost in full summer plumage.
Blackwits getting ready to leave us.................
And leking ruff (double click for a better view)
Reminding us that winter is not quite out yet, there was a record of male hen harrier through yesterday and on Wednesday 120 pink footed geese who suddenly flew in to wash up on Singleton lagoon before going to feed in the field nest to the reserve. We always seem to get this late passage of pinkies these days, probably a reflection on their healthy population levels.
Pinks late on Wednesday evening
Not to be outdone the summer migrants have been showing very well with mini twitches of grasshopper warbler and our showy cettis warbler near reception hide. Also plenty of sedge warblers, and a few more whitethroats and reed warblers over the last few days.
Marsh harriers and avocets are guaranteed on a visit at the moment so its certainly a good time to visit us. The garganey showed well up until Thursday but I'd not heard that anybody had seen them yesterday but I wouldn't be surprised if they turned up again. Our Bitterns have been showing from time to time and occasionally booming - best place to look is Singleton.
And marsh harrier with a nice scenic backdrop
Plenty of other duck on site including shoveler, pochard, gadwall, and 76 teal yesterday (keep an eye out for GW teal), while our great crested grebes are looking superb in their fine summer head dresses, especially in the evening sunlight
And finally I'll leave you with a nice picture of one of our resident dunnocks, they may be plain but boy do they have one of the most beautiful songs of any bird. The dawn chorus is excellent at the moment BTW so why not set out a morning this weekend to step outside your front door and listen to it!