25th May

Very hot, with a pleasant south-easterly, and little cloud cover. Good for raptors, but I seemed to miss any of the apparent Red Kite movement that's been happening on the south coast (33 over Seaton, Devon today, and 30 over Sandwich Bay yesterday). A long-anticipated breeding first was proven, in the shape of 4 Egyptian Geese goslings, at Scrubbin's Pond. This species has tried and failed before, and I imagine there are a couple more pairs lurking in the estates. It also means 3 Goose species have bred at Scrubbin's this year. Elsewhere, not loads, though a couple of Spotted Flycatchers at Goose Green were good to see. Highlights as follows:

07:30-08:50; 12:00-14:45

Mill Pond: 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Tufted Ducks (♂♀♂♀), 2 Mute Swans and 2 Little Grebes.

Winkworth Arboretum: 2 Mandarins (♀♀, both with 3 ducklings), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 2 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.

Goose Green: 2 Egyptian Geese (+ 4 goslings), 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Skylark, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Greylag Geese (+ 5 goslings) and 2 Blackcaps.

Gatestreet Farm: 17 Greylag Geese, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 4 Swallows and 1 Blackcap.

Bonhurst Farm: 2 Whitethroats, 3 Linnets, 10+ House Martins, 3 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.

Junction Field (12:25-14:25): 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Raven, 1 Sparrowhawk (♂), 1 Kestrel (♂), 12 Buzzards, 7 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps.