The First Cuckoo (almost)

It seems the day to be at Blashford this weekend was Saturday, yesterday there were something like 20 Little Gull through Ibsley Water, also the first Cuckoo of the year. For all that today was not bad, the Cuckoo was again about as was the first Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler of the year. But in many ways it was the regular caste that were the stars.

The Sand Martins were great value, about a hundred were flying into the holes and collecting nesting material on the bank below the hide. In between bouts of nest digging they were resting and preening on the branches in the water.
Whilst at the Goosander hide watching the martins we had a distant view of the Great White Egret flying over Ibsley village, probably going to Ibsley North lake. Other birds on Ibsley Water today were at least 11 Goosander, at least 8 Goldeneye and 2 Common Sandpiper. The Little Ringed Plovers are now well settled by the Tern hide although I saw no sign of the Ringed Plover today.

Around the Centre a Brambling was calling as I arrived and I saw one or two Siskin, but no Redpoll, so it looks like the finches have largely gone. Good numbers of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a few Willow Warbler were much in evidence as were Collared Dove. Only a couple of years ago they were very irregular here, I expect it has been the feeders that have attracted them in and cause them to stay, it would be good if they would do the same for House Sparrow.

Other birds today included several small parties of Stock Dove flying over going north, several House Martin over Rockford Lake and a report of a Red Kite.

All the nests I am monitoring are still going strong and a Song Thrush was added to the list today with one egg having appeared in the nest I found newly lined with mud on Thursday.