At last, a touch of Spring.

With blue skies and a hint of warmth in the easterly breeze, it felt like Spring today (for the first time since the end of March).  It was a nine warbler day at the farm: Grasshopper, Reed, seven Sedge, three Blackcap, Garden Warbler, three Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs - all singing. There was a steady passage of Swallows flying north: I counted 35. Amongst the supporting cast were two Swifts, two Cuckoos, male and female Peregrine, two Whimbrel, six Skylarks, seven Wheatears, three Song Thrushes and six Linnets.

There were very few butterflies around so I was pleasantly surprised when a Painted Lady flew by.

April showers - and the rest!

I'm rather glad that month's over. April is one of my favourites - normally - but that was the worst I can remember. The legacy is as much standing water and mud on the reserve as I have ever seen, at any time of year, and probably more than a few inbound summer migrants which didn't survive the truly awful weather of the last couple of days. That's a pessimistic view. Maybe they're hardier than I give them credit for.

Today it was dry, sunny and with a more gentle breeze from the south-east. In the warbler line there were plenty of Willow Warblers singing, along with a few Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Sedge Warblers and a couple of Whitethroats. Skylarks are on their soggy territories and about a dozen Swallows zipped through. I counted eight Wheatears but the birds of the day were the three Black-tailed Godwits which have been present for a few days now. One is in glorious summer plumage. There were also two Whimbrel and a Cuckoo calling.

Catching some rays

The warm sunshine of the last week has brought lots of adders out to bask.

Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers have arrived in numbers, but further migration is likely to be suspended as the weather cools down.  The male Marsh Harrier is still around and a Water Pipit has been around Ruan Pool for a few days.

Hoop hoop!

The last few days of warm south-easterly winds have seen an exceptional number of early Spring migrants arriving at the farm, culminating in our fifth Hoopoe in as many years this morning.  This one was found by Dougy Wright ("Senior Assistant" to the Warden!) but it hung around long enough for me to catch up with it.  Thanks to Dougy for the photo below. The supporting cast so far has included Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Ring Ouzel, six Black Redstarts, a Willow Warbler and 10+ Chiffchaffs.  Speckled Woods, Peacocks, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshells are already on the wing.

On Sunday April 8th there will be a guided walk around the reserve from 10.00-13.00.  All are welcome.

Biffa Ponds

Here's a photo (courtesy of Cornwall Wildlife Trust) of the nine new ponds at the farm. They were created in conjunction with Pond Conservation and also funding by Biffa Waste Services through their Biffawards scheme.  They should provide great habitat for some some of our rare plants, birds and hordes of invertebrates.