A rather overcast and cool day but with signs of a few more migrant birds than we have had for most of the spring. On Ibsley Water there were 2 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin as well as the 2 Common Sandpipers that seem to have been present for a few days, a Black-tailed Godwit and the usual Redshanks, Lapwings, Little Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers. The pair of Pintail that avoided being seen by any of the Bird Racers over the weekend were showing for most of the day as were at least 2 Wigeon.

A feature of the day were the increased numbers of Swifts and hirundines, at least 300 Swifts were feeding over the various lakes as well as modest numbers of Swallows, House Martins and some extra Sand Martins.

The Common Terns were displaying and courtship feeding on the rafts on Ivy Lake and did not seem too put off by there being a pair each of Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls also on the lake. A panoramic shot of the lake from the South hide is at the top page, I will try and post a few more from different places around the reserve if this one is ok.

There seems to be a good bit of rapid flying about by Kingfisher going on from which I guess they are now feeding young. If this is right and they fledge successfully they will have lots of time for a good second brood, all being well there will be plenty about on the lakes later in the summer.