With the whiff of autumn migration just several weeks away it seems us birders are the only ones wishing away the summer each year. Towards the end of July passerine migration gets underway with the first pulse of Willow Warblers, Garden Warblers even Grasshopper Warblers all beginning to move south with waders following suit a week or two after. As we approach the end of June, sightings still remain limited as thoughts turn to cloudy sky’s over cool coasts during the autumn. Late June and early July can still see small arrivals of birds and things have definitely started to stir with Little Ringed Plovers and Green Sandpipers already beginning to turn up with mid-July also being a good time for early returning Ruff and Wood Sandpiper. So, as we approach July its well worth keeping an eye out for early signs of passage and for those first returning lemon yellow Willow Warblers amongst those Long-tailed Tit flocks. Today, just the 5 Spoonbill were reported to us and the Avocet pair are still on their nest with another 2 keeping a helpful eye out too.

Little Egret – Middlebere – Olly Slessor

Fox cub – Middlebere – Olly Slessor