14th May

The Great Spotted Cuckoo remained at Reap Lane and stole the show again today; however, a Serin that showed up from time to time through the morning at the Obs was a decent bonus for many, a Bee-eater that was heard but remained unseen over Bumpers Lane was a nice surprise for its lone observer and there were enough common migrants about to provide interest for the fieldworkers. Grounded migrants weren't exactly plentiful but the arrival of newcomers throughout the morning was constant enough to hint at there always being something good just around the corner; 25 Blackcaps, 20 Spotted Flycatchers and 10 each of Sedge Warbler and Chiffchaff made up the bulk of the numbers at the Bill, where a good range of other species were in low single figure totals; a Hobby passed through at Reap Lane, whilst 2 Short-eared Owls, a Curlew and a Siskin were all somewhat out of season at the Bill.

After one or two quite indifferent visits just lately we were very pleased to hear today from Nick Hopper that the first night of his last attempt at nocturnal sound recording - last Tuesday/Wednesday 10th/11th - coincided with some decent passage. Nick reports that the most noteworthy bird was a Moorhen; waders comprised 2 flocks of Purple Sandpipers, 7 Common Sandpiper, a Bar-tailed Godwit, at least 10 flocks of Whimbrel, 7 flocks of Ringed Plover, 11 flocks of Dunlins and 2 Turnstones, whilst there were also 3 parties of Arctic Tern, 4 parties of Common Tern and a Sandwich Tern. Further noteworthy loggings included a Grey Heron, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Tree Pipit. 

A few mixed wader flocks with quite a few birds giving other types of social calls as well as the more recognised flight calls made for some lengthy analysis!  Some like this Dunlin even did a bit of singing:

Oddest bird is what surely is a Guillemot calling!  The call was recorded twice in 10 mins then once more an hour later. The sonogram is a very good fit; it didn't come close and this is the loudest of the calls: