The valley floor is becoming filled with migrants.
The Blackcap and Chiffchaffs have been joined by the first Sedge Warblers and yesterday a few notes came from a Willow Warbler. This last will probably continue further north - I have not recorded Willow Warblers staying longer than a few days for many years now.
Of course there are residents equally obvious - Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers to name but two.
Winter visitors are now nearly all gone. The last flock of (118) Fieldfares was up on the Down 10 days ago. But down in the meadows there are still a few Snipe. Six were present yesterday - but they are unlikely to stay and breed. sightings may continue to the first few days of May - but they will probably disappear and go to other breeding grounds.
Another wintering bird is the Stonechat. This is also absent now - but can be expected to breed. So there appears to be two populations using the meadows at differing times of the year. Why not just stay put?
Yesterday morning was interesting in that I saw no Swallows or Martins moving up the valley - the slightly colder weather must have stalled their progress.
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