Abberton and KGV

Yesterday saw me head up the A12 with Jim and Dad to Abberton where we found the Old Road alive with bird song, at Least six Nightingale were heard but we only had a very brief view of one bird. Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and Wren seemed to be calling from every bush and a couple of Treecreepers were prospecting for suitable nest sites. On the causeway we had our first Arctic Tern which was chased by a larger Common Tern. Another Nightingale was singing in the bushes at the end of the LB causeway but again didn't give itself up for views.

On the flood opposite Billets Jim eventually found two Little-ringed Plover to give us another early year tick before we found three Yellow Wagtails by the farm for another nice first for 2024. Three Lesser Scaup were reported but we didn't give that search much time from the screen before we headed off to the other causeway. On the drive round I found four Med Gulls in the field behind Garr House Farm and at the causeway we had our only hirundine of the morning with a single Swallow. Spoonbill are nesting again and a single bird was seen at the nest.

Mallard ducklings

Yellow Wagtail

Four year ticks before we headed home for me to keep to a caring obligation.

This morning saw Jim and I at KGV again at 7am where we walked the whole site adding just the single year tick with Sedge Warbler. Black Redstart, Common Sandpiper and Greater Scaup the only birds of note save an active pair of Raven and a couple of Willow Warblers. Sand Martin numbers are picking up but Swallows were in single figures and we've yet to see House Martin although others are reporting them daily.  Species count of the day was 63. 

year list now 186