Friday April 20th

All-round, a pretty interesting day at Longham Lakes. Chris Parnell had 7 Common Sandpipers, the first of the year, as well as Reed Warbler singing, also making this species’s first appearance. Trevor Thorpe had a hat-trick of waders: 8 Common Sandpipers, 1 Redshank flushed from the pool at the south end of Longham Reservoir South, and 2 Whimbrel that came in overhead from the west and landed on the northern island on the same reservoir. He also had 1 Peregrine and 1 Wheatear.

Less exciting in the afternoon, with just 2 Common Sandpipers and quite a decent passage of Swallows (30 perched on a fence post at one time, with 4 Sand Martins). At least 10 Blackcaps between Samuel’s Wood and Green Lane suggests a decent fall. Over 50 species recorded during the day.