A rather muggy day, with a gentle ESE and some sunny periods, the latter proving popular with the local raptors. I anticipated the first Hobby of the year and duly got it, with a bird thermalling over Thorncombe Park. 2 different singing Skylarks was a nice surprise, though perhaps they are both unpaired, and there were also 2 male Cuckoos across the site. The first Mandarin and Starling young of the year and a notable number of Sylvia warblers were further additions to a decent session. Highlights as follows:
10:30-14:20
Mill Pond: 1 Gadwall (♂), 2 Little Grebes, 6 Mandarins (+ 4 chicks), 2 Tufted Ducks (♂♀), 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.
Thorncombe Park: 1 Little Owl & 2 Blackcaps.
Bonhurst Farm: 1 Cuckoo (♂), 2 Linnets and 1 Blackcap.
Ridge (11:35-12:35): 1 Hobby (c.12:00), 1 Cuckoo (♂), 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 10+ Buzzards, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk (♂), 12 Swallows (N), 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff & 6 Linnets.
Tilsey Farm: 2 Whitethroats, 1 Skylark, 2 Swifts, 4 Swallows, 2 Buzzards, 1 Blackcap and 15+ Starling (+ 2 juveniles).
Goose Green: 1 Skylark, 2 Buzzards and 11 Greylag Geese (+ 6 young).
Bramley Park Lake: 1 Grey Wagtail (♂ carrying food to nest) and 1 Grey Heron.
