Alpine Swift

Lade - 0700hrs - cool, damp start, warm and sunny later, sw 2 - A wander over the pits before doing breakfasts revealed the first Common Whitethroat of the year on the local patch, plus a scattering of Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Willow Warblers and 5 Swallows. Two Whimbrels flew over and at least 10 Med Gulls passed over Littlestone late morning.
Spent most of the afternoon off the Marsh so missed out on the first rarity of the year (although by the sound of things so did most of the locals), an Alpine Swift found by SB. It was first seen over Boulderwall, then Dengemarsh before returning to Boulderwall and away. Also around the bird reserve today were the first Cuckoo (BP) and Greenshank (PB), 3 Garganey and Common Swift, while a Ring Ouzel was reported this afternoon at the south end of Lade Pits (OL).