A couple of good birds at last.   A singing male Icterine Warbler was trapped at 0640 and a Greenish Warbler trapped in the same place at 0850.    Neither bird was seen more than momentarily following release.   Other migrants during the day were rather scarce.   Most notable birds were 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, Mistle Thrush, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Corn Buntings, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher and a Sandwich Tern.

Hawking along the sea-bank and coastal fields were 55 Swifts, 50 Swallows and 12 House Martins, otherwise the usual species recorded on the dunes.

The continuous rain continued, but at least it was generally lighter than yesterday!    A few Swifts and hirundines were on the move, nearly all to the north, hence 20 House Martins, 75 Swallows and 93 Swifts along with 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a single Lapwing.   Also recorded were 3 Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 5 Corn Buntings, 4 Turtle Doves, 4 Little Egrets, 12 Tufted Ducks and 7 Cormorants.

Most counts were well down and rather meaningless and the only birds worth mentioning are 3 Corn Buntings, 2 Willow Warblers, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Tufted Ducks, Curlew and 2 Cormorants.  

4  Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Cuckoos, 22 Swallows, 4 Swifts, 2 Turtle Doves, Whimbrel, Wheatear, 6 Corn Buntings, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Tufted Ducks, Cormorant, 5 Little Egrets and a Common Buzzard.
A Spoonbill reported from Pye's hall.

25th
Best I could find were 3 Cuckoos, 2 Turtle Doves, 23 Swifts, 25 Swallows, 9 House Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 6 Corn Buntings, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Lesser Black-backs, 50 Sanderlings, 150 Dunlin and 30 'tundrae' Ringed Plovers.

24th
 70 Swallows, Swift, 2 Collared Doves, 2 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Corn Buntings, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Cormorants and 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

23rd
A pleasant morning, but not much to see, hence 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Cuckoos, 5 Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 6 Corn Buntings, 28 Swallows, 7 House Martins, Sand Martin, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Cormorants and a Grey Plover.

22nd
Less seen today in much cooler conditions.   Main birds were 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Turtle Doves, 9 Swifts, 3 House Martins, 8 Corn Buntings, 5 Yellow Wagtails, Common Buzzard, 7 Little Egrets, 5 Tufted Ducks, 3 Cormorants, Gannet, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 15 Dunlin, 29 Sanderlings, Little Stint and a Little Ringed Plover.


21st
 A handful of birds were evidently new arrivals this morning.   A Tree Pipit was the first of the year.   Also noted were 3 Turtle Doves, Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, Mistle Thrush, 3 Cuckoos, 47 Swallows, House Martin, Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Corn Buntings, Whimbrel, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards and a Hobby.
Between Pye's Hall and Stonebridge in the evening, CA recorded a Spoonbill, 4 Greenshanks, 3 Cuckoos, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler.

20th
Best at Quad 3 today were 2 Whimbrels, 3 Sanderlings, 5 Cuckoos, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Sedge Warblers, Reed Warbler, 2 Swifts, Song Thrush, 8 Tufted Ducks, Pied Wagtail and 7 Corn Buntings.

The highlight was a flock of 26 Barnacle Geese which flew south along the tide-line at 0938.   Other birds included 8 Lesser Black-backs, 2 Sandwich Terns, 6 Sanderlings, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Little Egrets, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcap, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, 4 Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtail and 5 Corn Buntings.

Another disappointing day with hardly any new arrivals.   Most notable were 2 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, 4 Cuckoos, 6 Corn Buntings, 27 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 2 Swifts, 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Little Egrets, 9 Mute Swans, 6 Tufted Ducks and 15 Sanderlings.

 Very uneventful this morning with a meagre list including at least 4 Cuckoos, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, 4 Corn Buntings, Yellow Wagtail, 7 Little Egrets, 10 Sanderlings and 25 Dunlin.

 Highlights were 41 Shelducks, 21 Mallard, 10 Tufted Ducks, Greylag Goose, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 120 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, 3 Redshanks, Greenshank, 15 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, 25 Swallows, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtail, 4 Cuckoos, 2 Sedge Warblers, Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Common Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, Song Thrush and Corn Bunting.

Very little was new today.   The most noteworthy were 8 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Corn Buntings, 7 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Cuckoo, Wheatear, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Swift, 80 Swallows, 5 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 10 Tufted Ducks and a Common Buzzard.

Beautiful weather, but of course there were fewer birds.   Ca. 60 Common Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, 6 Yellow Wagtails, House Martin, Sand Martin, 70 Swallows, 4 Swifts, 4 Cuckoos, 3 Wheatears, Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Corn Buntings, 2 Kestrels, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 12 Tufted Ducks and 7 Little Egrets.

      I went early this morning, but still got caught by the heavy rain.   Main birds were 150 Swallows, Sand Martin, 3 House Martins and 7 Swifts all heading north, 3 Wheatears, Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warblers, 6 Cuckoos, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Corn Buntings, Common Sandpiper, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Tufted Ducks, 13 Mallard , Wigeon and 2 Peregrines.

12th

The weather is more like it should be in April.   Today's best birds were 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, 24 Swallows, 13 Wheatears, 4 Cuckoos, 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Corn Buntings, Common Buzzard, 6 Little Egrets, 12 Tufted Ducks and 2 Greylag Geese.

 The weather was better than anticipated once the rain stopped at 0830.   Two Dotterel were feeding on the mudflats before leaving to the west and inland at 1055.   Other birds of note were 3 Ringed Plovers, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Peregrine, 2 Kestrels, 12 Tufted Ducks, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Cuckoos, 5 Corn Buntings, 7 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 43 Swallows, House Martin, Sand Martin and 55 Swifts.

9th

Some of the showers this morning were quite vicious, and painful, too.   Add on the wind and counts are well down.   Best were 25 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 15 Swifts, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Wheatears, 4 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Kestrels, 5 Corn Buntings, 7 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 4 Shelducks and 12 Tufted Ducks.


8th

 Nice to eventually see some Dotterel.   20 flew north at 1155 and although they flew straight through, they did afford some excellent views.   Some migrant numbers were down on account of the frequent rain which was heavy at times, hence 40 Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 4 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 14 Wheatears, 4 Cuckoos, 60 Swallows, 4 Corn Buntings, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Greylags, 10 Tufted Ducks, 5 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and a Peregrine.


7th

It was much quieter today in the fresher and colder wind.   The first Spotted Flycatcher was a welcome find and other birds included 60 Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 12 Wheatears, 20 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 15 Swifts, 3 Cuckoos, Song Thrush, 3 Corn Buntings, Yellow Wagtail, Lapwing, 2 Kestrels, 3 Little Egrets and 12 Tufted Ducks.   Phil Espin recorded 4 Avocets at Stonebridge this evening.

Also noted were 3 Whimbrels, Little  Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderlings, Cuckoo, 3 more Wheatears and a Corn Bunting.

It was good to get more birds today after the initial slow start to May.   Moving north were at least 300 Swallows, 80 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins, 120 Swifts and a Hobby.   There were probably many more birds moving, as the movement was on a broad front on both sides of the dunes which is awkward for a solitary mobile observer.   Also seen were 55 Common Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 7 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cuckoos, 4 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Corn Buntings, Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrels, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 16 Tufted Ducks, 12 Mallard, 8 Shelducks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Whimbrels, 58 Sanderlings and 26 Ringed Plovers.   At Stonebridge, John Walker reported 2 Avocets and a pair of Garganey in the morning and these were still present when Mark Johnson was there in the evening.

Quite a slog for scant reward.    55 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Swallows, Sand Martin, 5 Wheatears, 3 Corn Buntings, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, Common Sandpiper, 5 Little Egrets, Grey Heron and 12 Tufted Ducks.

The quiet start to the month continues.  A curious northerly movement of 90 Carrion Crows was noted, while 21 Jackdaws and a Rook came in from the sea and continued south.   31 Swallows also passed northwards.   Other birds included 50 Common Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, 7 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Common Swift, Cuckoo,2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Corn Buntings, Collared Dove, 3 Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Grey Heron, 6 Little Egrets, 26 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal, 12 Mallard, 5 Shelducks and 120 Dunlin.

3rd

Not much change this morning.   50 Common Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, 8 Wheatears, Song Thrush, 9 Blackbirds, Long-tailed Tit, Pied Wagtail, 4 Corn Buntings, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 18 Tufted Ducks, 14 Shelducks and a Whimbrel.   20 Swallows flew north.

Not a great deal about today.   It was very pleasant in the shelter as the wind was pretty cold.   Best this morning were 50 Common Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 26 Swallows (all heading north), Cuckoo, 6 Wheatears, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Kestrels, Common Buzzard, 4 Little Egrets, 16 Tufted Ducks and 2 Canada Geese.

  Fairly quiet in the misty conditions.   A large dark pipit was flushed.   It certainly looked like a Richard's, but it did not call and continued down the coast.   Other birds included 40 Common Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, Cuckoo, only one Swallow, 2 Corn Buntings, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Short-eared Owl, 14 Tufted Ducks and 4 Little Egrets.