One Hundred Swallows do not a Summer Make

Dan here with a quick report of my afternoon visit to the parish.

Swallow passage was the dominant theme, with up to 100 per hour noted migrating ENE into a stiff breeze. Associated with this movement were 3 each of Sand and House Martin.

Best passerine was a rather tardy male Garden Warbler which was singing quietly in a hawthorn near Stodday before a brutish Blue Tit chased it away.

A short distance away were a number of fledgling Long-tailed Tits, presumably having recently emerged from the nest built by Chromedome (the pale-headed individual) back in March.

Other fledged young noted included Blackbird, Greenfinch and Robin as many martins, yet to reach their breeding sites passed overhead.

As with other birders, I was hoping that the late afternoon thunderstorms would drop stints and marsh terns on my head-- but I had to make do with raindrops instead. I spied two Whimbrels and 75 non-breeding plumage Bar-tailed Godwits on the estuary at Stodday, but I suspect the latter flock had only travelled a mile or two from Glasson.

Twelve Eiders were noted and two LRPs were at the Wildfowlers Pools.

The flood was devoid of birds, and the field was chock-a-block with sheep-- with around a thousand animals bleating away.

Freeman's Pools were not graced by Temmincks, but rather plagued by tykes. Eight youths climbed the reserve fences to the consternation of Lapwings and Shelducks. Three of the kids braved a swim while their friends rolled jazz woodbines on the banks.

Off to Spain for a few days. Happy birding!

DH.