Seven warblers

Long Pits - cool, sunny, nw 3 - Following a cold and frosty night the morning soon warmed up in the shelter of the northerly airflow. En-route to the allotment in Lydd we did a figure of eight circuit of Long Pits which for the most part was birdless apart from a Ring Ouzel that rocketed out from cover half way down and seven species of warblers, all around the northern end near the road. All were in song at some stage and comprised 10 each of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap, plus 5 Common Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Cetti`s and one Reed Warbler, which was our first of the year. Several Swallows pushed on north, 4 Med Gulls went west calling and a Raven flew over.

                                 Chaffinch and Chiffchaff, Long Pits

  At Lydd more Chiffchaffs were singing around the gardens and in Ketchley Copse by the roundabout. Three Buzzards drifted over being hassled by Herring Gulls and several Med Gulls were heard. A check of ARC from the causeway road on the way home revealed Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall at the south end, plus several Common Terns on the lake.