April 18th
We had our first spring ringing session at Shuart this morning during which time we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Lapwings, 2 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Siskins, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying E and calling, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Jays, 6 Greenfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 drumming Snipe, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Brambling, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Swallows, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Red-legged Partridges.

13 birds ringed: 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wrens, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Song Thrush.

Derek Smith was also out walking form Shuart, along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and back along Potten Street. He recorded 6 House Martins W, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (150th), 2 Yellow Wagtails,  1 Swift W (151st) and 1 male Ring Ouzel, 14 Blackcaps, 29 Whitethroats, 21 Sedge Warblers, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Chiffchaffs and 2 Willow Warblers.

Grasshopper Warbler - Derek Smith

Ring Ouzel - Derek Smith

He also saw 5 species of butterfly; Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Small White and Speckled Wood.