1st April

April hardly got off to a rip-roaring start with pitifully low numbers of most routine migrants - but at least the sun was out for a fair portion of the day. One of yesterday's Ring Ouzels remained at Barleycrates Lane and another passed through at Blacknor, whilst an Osprey over the Bill during the afternoon provided an additional glimmer of quality; also of note were the first dozen Swallows and 2 House Martins of the season amongst a minor flurry of passing hirundines. With phylloscs, Blackcaps and Goldcrests reduced to single figure totals at the Bill it was left to the 60 or so Wheatears to provide the bulk of the numbers on the ground there; a Short-eared Owl remained there and 2 Firecrests at Barleycrates Lane the only addition to the list from elsewhere. Sea passage perked up a little during the afternoon as the wind switched into the east ahead of approaching rain, with 66 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Divers and 2 Sandwich Terns through off the Bill.

The Bottle-nosed Dolphins remained off the Bill all morning.