13th May

Although todays clear blue skies and fresh winds were not conducive to large numbers of birds, the variety of species at this time of year is often exciting. The highlight of the day came from a singing Nightingale along the admiralty hedge, a stunning song that's difficult to hear without a smile. The backing cast on the land consisted of a handful of commoner migrants such as Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Plover entering summer plumage along the East Cliffs. The sea saw a greater variety particularly on the wader front with the evening sea-watch from Chesil producing 24 Sanderling, 42 Knot, 45 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Grey Plover. The morning sea-watch was full of its own highlights including 28 Barnacle Geese and a Pomarine Skua

The East Cliffs Grey Plover was starting to look really smart © Geoff Orton:


The main flock of Knot past Chesil were in full summer regalia © Joe Stockwell: