I would say "has arrived" but I said that back in March and then it disappeared! The last few days have seen a welcome increase in bird numbers to the reserve with all the warblers now in: Reed, Sedge, Blackcap and Willow in addition to our resident Cetti's and Chiffchaffs. Hirundines too are back in good numbers with 250 Swallows, 16 House Martins and 80 Sand Martins yesterday. Mind you they still don't look very happy and are spending a lot of time in the cold winds and damp weather just suitting around in the bushes and reeds - some are even resting on the ground. The 24th hosted a male Yellow wagtail and a Blue-headed Wagtail was around the day before with up to 20 White Wagtails. The 20th April was a red-letter day with sightings of Bittern (are they all still here?) Marsh Harrier and 2 Cranes. We've only ever recorded Crane twice previously, the last back in 2004. These two were seen by Cat Lee leaving the reedbed at the back of the marsh - just reward for the work she is doing here with the schoolchildren who all saw the birds too - and the Bittern to boot!
Site Manager, Cornwall reserves