Spring is really upon now with a good bulk of returning migrants being spotted, or heard. One such bird is the small Chiffchaff, a leaf warbler which spends a lot of time flitting in tree tops and bushes. The call is a repetitive cycle of its own name. Another bird to listen for is the Willow warbler and their call cascades from high to low. Both these birds look very similar so knowing the calls is a great help.

A visit to Bowling Green marsh will produce some good sightings around now. Expect to see healthy numbers of House martins hawking over the pools. Black tailed Godwits are now transforming into their breeding plumage, which is a deep orange, almost rusty colour. A few long staying Brambling have been seen and over the early part of the month small numbers of Avocets should still show over a very high tide.

The Saturday walks are attracting good numbers of people. We’re still yet to spot, Wheatears, Ospreys and Willow warblers. So come along on our free walk and help us spot these returning birds.