Like the rest of the county, spring migration really seemed to arrive in the harbour today, although best bird of the day doesn’t sound too spring-like. An Iceland Gull found out on the mud of Upton CP was a nice find, sat amongst Herring Gulls and 22 Med Gulls, including a green colour-ringed bird. After the rain passed mid morning a good passage of hirundines travelled through the harbour with Swallow and Sand Martin most prominent and a few House Martin in tow. There were 2 Little Ringed Plover on pools in the lower Frome Valley near Swineham and a minimum of 10 Cetti’s Warbler singing. At the PCW drain 15+ Blackcap had arrived and 4-5 Willow Warbler were singing. Out on Lytchett Fields a summer plumaged Dunlin had arrived indicating that they are now on the move too, plus a Whimbrel was in the Bay and 2 straggling Brent Geese dropped in too, alos 1 remaining summer plumaged Water Pipit.  In Middlebere the summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank was still feeding and a female/juv type Marsh Harrier was circling over the Piddle Valley. 

Iceland Gull (right)- Upton CP – Ian Ballam

Black-tailed Godwit – Middlebere – Roger Hewitt