May 15th

Even though it was pouring with rain this morning we decided to walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and were lucky that the rain stopped just as we reached the railway crossing and it remained dry until we almost got back to our car. We had excellent views of the Grasshopper Warbler as it moved from one singing perch to another and reeled almost non-stop. Other birds seen included 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Mallard, 9 Whitethroats, 4 Goldfinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Swallows, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Reed Warblers, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Stonechats, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo and 7 Linnets.

Derek Smith was also out in the rain this morning and between 0400 and 0900 walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Minnis Bay and back via Coldharbour and the railway embankment. His highlights included 1 Fulmar W, 2 Little Egrets, 7 pairs of Tufted Duck, 46 Sanderling at Minnis Bay, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Turtle Dove, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler at Coldharbour, 7 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear and 2 Stonechats at Plumpudding.