First Swallow.

A single male Swallow was feeding off Stoney Bank this evening with a dozen or more Sand Martins. There were 10 Pied Wagtails in the field. Since the Scaup it has been quiet, with just a sprinkling of migrants. The first was a Curlew on the 11th with the first Sand Martins on the 15th. Chiffchaff were singing on the 19th, but the first Blackcaps only arrived on the 1st April. There have been up to 7 Buzzards wheeling over the res. There was a White Wagtail in the Wagtail field on the 28th March. A Water Rail has been seen at the top end amongst the reeds. Groups of Fieldfare and Redwing are now heading back north, although the weather in the next few days may hold them up. Butterflies seen so far include Brimstone, Tortoiseshell, Large White and Peacock. Both Noctule and Pippestrelle bats have been out hunting.