Today a singing Willow Warbler was my earliest in Bedfordshire. Other migrants included two Barn Swallow, a single Sand Martin and two Chiffchaff. Wetter weather moved in mid-afternoon during which a pair of calling Redshank circled the site but quickly moved north. One (perhaps two) Water Rail were on the scrape and five Common Snipe came out to feed in the rain. A male Reed Bunting sat out the worst of the heavy downpour.
A Ringed Plover replaced yesterdays Little Ringed Plover at Octagon farm, and there was a Green Sandpiper along a brook near junction 13 of the M1.
A male Reed Bunting singing at Octagon farm.
A flock of 145 Barnacle Geese were back at Willington, some of them sporting red darvic rings.
More signs of Spring as the mild weather continues. Birds in song include Skylark, Chaffinch and Dunnock.
One of five Reed Bunting around the Scrape today.
The Little Egret continues to be noted in and around the site. Last week it was along the brook adjacent to the bypass.
