Flighty White

Dan here.

Another few hours down the patch but little to show for it.

I finally came across the first common whitethroat of the year-- but a rather shy one. It uttered a half-hearted squiggle from cover and then was seen flitting away along a hedge. Hope to see many more of these and lessers in the coming weeks.

Unexpectedly, a  bit of mid-afternoon passerine vis. was to be had.

I sat for an hour to scan and listen out for in for whimbrels (no luck) and while waiting 42 meadow pipits (twos and threes), 4 sand martins, 6 swallows, 10 linnets and a few stealth siskins passed over, heading north.

There seemed to be little of interest on the estuary save for the surprise of a duck goosander with six young at Stodday. I wonder where they had nested?

DH.