5th May

A reasonable session after a slow start, with blustery north-easterly winds and occasional periods of sun resulted in a decent push of Hirundines and Swifts during the middle of the day (the latter becoming the 101st species recorded in 2017). Also, a Peregrine and 3 Lapwing were seen, the 3rd and 4th records of the year for these species respectively. Furthermore, the first Moorhen, Greylag Geese and Canada Geese chicks of the year were noted. Sightings of note are as follows:

07:15-09:20; 11:00-13:30

Mill Pond: 1 Gadwall (♂), 6 Mute Swans and 2 Tufted Ducks (♂♀)

Winkworth Arboretum: 2 Mandarins (♂♂), 4 Tufted Ducks (♂♀♂♀), 2 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Slade's Farm - Ridge: 4 Greylag Geese, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Red-legged Partridges and 3 Buzzards.

Leg-of-Mutton Copse - Juniper Hill - New Barn: 1 3rd c/y Lesser Black-backed Gull S, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Blackcaps and 5 Chiffchaffs.

Hive Field (11:30-13:10): 1 Peregrine E 11:42, 1 2nd c/y Lesser Black-backed Gull NE 12:01, 31 Swifts N/E, 30 Swallows N/E, 14 House Martins N/E, 2 Red Kites, 7 Buzzards and 2 Blackcaps. 2 Mandarins (♂♀) and 2 Moorhens (+ 4 chicks) on Nobody's Pond.

Tilsey Farm: 1 Skylark, 1 Kestrel (♀), 2 Buzzards, 1 Red Kite, 2 Linnets, 3 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.

A281 (at Rooks Hill): 3 Lapwings fairly low E over the road.

Scrubbin's Pond: 2 Swifts E, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Greylag Geese (+ 20 goslings!) and 2 Canada Geese (+ 4 goslings).