Sunday April 19

Sunday morning saw me back on the patch. As I waited for Dave an expected year-tick made itself known. A Common Whitethroat sang from the hedgerow at Netherstead. While I was away Chris Lane had texted to report both the Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler here. The cold wind and grey skies may have prevented me recording the latter, although I did hear a single call coming from the reedbed which I suspect may have been it.

Once Dave arrived we headed for the pools via the road, and I got a poor record shot of the Whitethroat.

Whitethroat

We went on to find another Common Whitethroat at the pool, along with a pair of Little Grebes. However, by the time we got to the flash field it had become apparent that this was not going to be the day on which it would feel that spring was really here.

Two things that were really here, at last, were a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, along with 10 Teal, two Redshank, and a Green Sandpiper. No sign of Chris's pair of Shoveler though.

One of the Little Ringed Plovers

The alarm calls of a male Blackcap led to the rediscovery of the Little Owl, a year-tick for Dave, while the field contained a herd, yes a herd, of Mute Swans. As the breeding pair was found to be still present on their pool this meant the first ever double figure count of Mute Swans at Morton Bagot, 10 birds.

Eight Mute Swans in the flash field

The walk back produced a singing Willow Warbler and more Blackcaps as we dejectedly discussed the fact that Hoopoes, Ring Ouzels, and Ospreys had failed to pay us a visit as usual despite this being a record spring for all of them.

I continue to dream.