Patching mid March to mid May

Not that anyone will be bothered, but it's been nearly two months since I last blogged... during that time Spring has arrived on the patch, albeit somewhat belatedly, along with the migrants that come with it. The first singing Chiffchaffs were along Northcroft Lane on the 25 March - a day when I dipped a Kittiwake, and when four Smew were still present. An LRP was on Mons Pool on 29 March, and the month ended on a high point with two adult Little Gulls on Ferry Lane Lake on 31st, when the first two Avocets of the year were on the Silt Lagoon.

Into April, and my first two Sand Martins of the year were over Ferry Lane Lake on 2nd; my first Swallows (2) and House Martins (2) followed on the 5th, along with the first Willow Warbler - with the drake Smew still present (but not recorded subsequently). A singing Blackcap was at Meering on the 7th, and a Sedge Warbler was singing from the Silt Lagoon the following day. 

Mid month, I finally got a patch Yellow Wagtail (in fact, four) on the 14th, having seen birds at Girton and Kilvington previously. Lesser Whitethroats appeared on the 17th, and Common Whitethroats the day after. The first Reed Warblers and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler came on the 21st, when the highlight of the month made an appearance - a smart male Bearded Tit in the reedy fringe along the northern edge of Mons Pool - a long anticipated patch tick! I then saw a second bird drop into the Silt Lagoon from the south, although I couldn't relocate it. 

On the 22nd a moderately noteworthy wader in the form of a Greenshank was on the Silt Lagoon. A few days later, on the 25th, a Wheatear was in the bare field south of Ferry Lane Lake (often a favoured spot), and the first sizeable gathering of hirundines was present (50), along with two Swifts, two Cuckoos, four Common Sands, a second Gropper, and a calling Little Owl (a species which had eluded me thus far in 2018). The 28th produced an Arctic Tern and two Common Terns first thing, plus another big mixed group of hirundines (180), another Wheatear, and another Cuckoo.

May began with a Garden Warbler in one of their favoured spots on the 1st, but visits on the 2nd and 3rd failed to add anything new for the year; we were then away for a week in Northumberland. However, today produced something unexpected - a purring Turtle Dove. After failing to turn up last year, I assumed I would never record another on the patch, so I was pretty delighted with this. However, it only sang briefly, and not in one of the locations previously occupied by this species, so I wonder if it was just passing through... time will tell. 

And what for the rest of the spring? I have failed to find a Redstart or Whinchat,, but I might still be hopeful for a Spotted Fly (I've yet to miss the latter). Bagging a Hobby is only a matter of time, and hopefully a Black Tern or two will make an appearance. A spring Garganey would also be appreciated! Waders, however, I am less confident about. High water levels for much of April have receded and Mons is actually looking quite good at the moment, but Phase 3 at Langford seems to be intercepting all the waders, with just a single Common Sand and only my second patch LRP of the year there today - I've still not had a Ringed Plover! And as for a Whimbrel, Wood Sand or Sanderling... here's hoping.