I visited my local patch at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea again this morning.
I was rewarded with my first Swift of the year flying through
with up to 5 Swallows. It is good to see Swifts back again .... definitely one of the sights and sounds of summer. This is earlier than I normally see them .... anyone else seen one yet? I have still yet to see a House Martin this year though.
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Common Whitethroat were also all showing well and I heard and saw 2 Cettis Warblers in the reed bed.
Other highlights .... at least 2 Bearded Tits in the reed bed, c.30 Avocets on the scrape and c.30 Black-tailed Godwits in summer plumage and 2 Little Egrets on Vange Creek. Hopefully at least one of my photos of Black-tailed Godwit may be good enough to post to the gallery later today.
Also seen .... Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker and a
Brimstone butterfly.
Richard