Thank God(wit)!

Even after the joint heroics of two days ago - leaving several locals feeling as though they'd run the marathon - the call of the patch could not be ignored once again today...I mean what else to do on this spring bank holiday Monday? 

Weather started overcast with a strong SW wind but there were nice sunny spells later with temps hitting 15C and the promise of warmer weather to come.

I started with a circuit of Wild Marsh East where Groppy - our 'resident' Grasshopper Warbler - was still performing well on his favourite patch of bramble. I'd go as far as to say that he gives the best views I've ever had of this species, and long may he continue! There was also a singing Willow Warbler nearby which was my first of the year. It occurs to me that we've now had 11 ssp of Warbler on the patch this year, could this be a record?

By lunchtime I'd arranged to meet Jamie up on the Lockwood for a spot of skywatching, but with the strong wind, there wasn't much about (except 3 Common Sands and plenty of Swifts), so we decided to make our way down to the 'Saaf' side. Just as we arrived at the N end of no 4 res a wader flew across in front of us...a Black-tailed Godwit! JP managed to reel off a couple of record shots (he's getting pretty nifty with his new camera that lad!). This was only my 3rd and Jamie's 2nd sighting of 'Blackwit' on the patch, so a pretty rare bird here. If flew West but could not be relocated later on the East Warwick as we'd hoped. Not a great deal else was seen in the way of migrants today other than what I've already mentioned, plus a single White wagtail also on no 4. Stuart F had 3 more Arctic Terns earlier too. Another worthwhile outing then, at what is my favourite time of year...what goodies lie in store for us over the coming weeks I wonder?

Lol B

(Photos JP)

The Morning After

Cue - lots of patch birds.

That's what I tweeted as I snapped the logo of the Eurostar while boarding the train. And what transpired while I was away - Black-tailed Godwits, Pied Flycatcher and Yellow-legged Gull.

B****r!

Late to the party (don't like parties anyway) due to holidaying in Paris with wife and friends (not as fancy as it sounds), I thought I'd try and see if any patch ticks had lingered.

Of course - nothing had.

No Black-tailed Godwits (need) or Yellow-legged Gulls (need) or P. Flycatcher (got).

Mrs. Tern says to Mr. Tern "He should have been here yesterday."

 The best part of the morning was watching the Brown Hawkers, Emperors, Red-eyed and blue damselflies and the Ruddy Darters make use of the Coppermill Stream by East Warwick. At one point two Emperors wrestled mid-air and one pushed the other under the water, trying to drown it. The Emperor managed to drag itself to the surface after a few minutes and flew off.

Emperor - "Yeah, yeah. I'm stuck in water. But you weren't here yesterday."

All these birds were here yesterday.

This Common Sandpiper was here yesterday.

I'm not actually bitter about missing patch birds while away, I'm happy for the patch really. It was fun watching the tweets while in Paris and imagining the patchers on the scene. I'm going to Italy later on in August - the picture below summarises what I expect will descend onto the patch while I'm away.

Grey Heron to the others - "Quick, pose for the patchers while that other guy's gone."

@leevalleybirder - GH