Cholsey, 10th May.

Overcast, 15º, heavy rain p.m., light to moderate, S.

Farmland, many Hirundines hawking the fields and also passage birds flying through. 100+ Swallows, c30 House Martins and 50+ Swifts noted.

12 Starlings feeding on the playing fields.

Warblers in song were 6 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat and 1 Willow Warbler.

4 Sedge Warbler singing from the “reedy ditch”, a lot less than last year!

7 Yellowhammer in song + a small flock of 8 at Manor Farm, 3 Corn Bunting near Lollingdon Hill and 7 Reed Bunting, quite a few Linnet and Skylark around.

A pair of Yellow Wagtail at a usual site.

A Lesser Blackback Gull (3^rdcy) flew over, also a flyover Curlew near the Lees and a flyover Tree Pipit near Lollingdon.

Drove down to Cholsey Marsh but rain very heavy so just sat in car for 30 mins, Swallows and Martins moving upriver a Tufted Duck flew down river and 2 Great-crested Grebes passed by struggling against the flow and a Common Sandpiper appeared on the bank in front of the car.

A couple of House Sparrows feeding young in the back garden today, unusual for here, although they are frequent nearby!

A few butterflies seen today, Small White, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone and Speckled Wood.

                       

                 Common Sandpiper taken thru car window in rain!