The day started with unexpected rain and wind. Sam had woken early in order to open the mist nets, only to wait for the clouds to clear before starting census. With the wind still from the South another day of good bird passage was expected. 

After the rain, Megan and Stuart headed to the South End. Several large groups of Swallows were flying West and a Golden Plover was seen and heard flying South. 17 Purple Sandpipers were on the Narrows along with four Ringed Plovers and two Dunlins.

Dunlin

It was also busy at Nant with a male Redstart first thing and six Spotted Flycatchers. A short ringing session in the afternoon produced a Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler and female Blackcap with a brood patch. A female Blue-headed Wagtail was also in the Northwest Fields. 

Male Redstart

Female Blue-headed Wagtail

A total of seven Common Blue butterflies were seen by the Café at Ty Pellaf coinciding with the flowering of the Bird's-foot Trefoil. Two Small Coppers were also seen.

Birds today: one Grey Heron, one Buzzard, four Ringed Plovers, one Golden Plover, 17 Purple Sandpipers, two Dunlins, eight Whimbrels, one Curlew, four Turnstones, two Sand Martins, 117 Swallows, six House Martins, one Blue-headed Wagtail, one White Wagtail, one Redstart, nine Sedge Warblers, one Lesser Whitethroat, three Whitethroat, four Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs, five Willow Warblers, nine Spotted Flycatchers, one Siskin, 22 Goldfinches, two Lesser Redpolls