Cool, showery, SW 5 - A breezy morning for a guided walk around the circular route, during which time the wind speed picked up to near gale force. No surprise then that passerines were in short supply with up to 20 singing Sedge Warblers sensibly keeping a low profile in the bramble scrub. A few Swallows came and went over Dengemarsh, while a pulse of hirundines over ARC early afternoon yielded 30 Sand Martins, 10 Swallows and my first five House Martins of spring, plus a Common Whitethroat, several Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap in the car park scrub; at least ten Cetti`s Warbler were also in song around the trails. The most productive area on the reserve was Hayfield 2 for a selection of wildfowl and waders that included 20 Teal, six Shelducks, 10 Shovelers, a Wigeon, a pair of Glossy Ibis, four Black-tailed Godwits, six Lapwings, four Avocets and two Redshanks, while plenty more Shovelers were on Burrowes along with three Goldeneyes. Also noted, a pair of Ravens, two Marsh Harriers, a Kestrel, a Grey Heron, a Little Egret and three Ruffs and two Curlews by Cook`s Pool. A decent enough return then when considering the extreme weather conditions.
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