Whimbrel new for the year
Glorious spring day with lighter winds and full sunshine.
Hot on the heels of the first local Whimbrel seen north of the reserve yesterday, 2 birds were found on Sunley's Marsh mid-morning. Peak time for the Whimbrel passage in Lancashire tends to be in the last few days of April.
Ten species of wader today with 50+ Avocet, 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruff, 6 Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 8 Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Common Snipe and Common Sandpiper.
Raptors included 6+ Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Warblers making the most of the sunny weather with numbers of singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler.
Other reports included 2 Mediterranean Gull on Vinson's Marsh.
Belated news of an Osprey over the reserve on Saturday.