12th May

Today started fairly bright, but showers and grey cloud then dominated as a southerly wind kept things muggy. Rather quiet, though again Sylvia warblers stood out and a flock of House Martins at Bonhurst had seemingly been pushed down by rain, and were probably migrating. The drake Gadwall at Mill Pond has already begun his eclipse moult, and will likely be present throughout the summer - this species has never previously been recorded in the June or July. Highlights as follows:

07:05-09:15

Tilsey Farm: 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Skylark, 1 Red Kite, 2 Chiffchaffs and 4 Blackcaps.

Winkworth Arboretum: 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs & 7 Tufted Ducks (♂x5).

Bonhurst Farm: 10+ House Martins, 4 Greylag Geese and 2 Linnets.

Thorncombe Street: 1 Whitethroat, 2 Buzzards, 17 Swallows

Mill Pond: 1 Gadwall (♂), 1 Blackcap and 6 Mute Swans.

Bramley Park Lake: 1 Cormorant, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tufted Ducks (♂♀).