Large displacement of LITTLE GULLS

MONDAY 6 APRIL

My first real opportunity at local birding in over three and a half weeks. The day started off fine and fairly calm, with predominantly clear blue skies and a light SE wind. Cloud then slowly moved in from the west and the wind increased and veered to the SW.

WILSTONE RESERVOIR, TRING (HERTS) (1100 hours)

My first LITTLE GULLS of the year (a feeding flock of 13 birds) was feeding high over the Drayton Bank Hide, flycatching with 8 Black-headed Gulls. They were associated with a widespread influx of the species across the Midlands and SE England and included three first-year birds. Stuart Wilson had initially located the flock, as well as a single COMMON TERN - the first at Tring this year.

Wildfowl numbers were much depleted, with just 1 adult drake Eurasian Wigeon remaining, 10 Pochard and 8 Shoveler.

STARTOP'S END RESERVOIR (HERTS)

A Little Grebe was present, along with 71 Tufted Ducks and 2 Pochards, whilst migrants included 123 SAND MARTINS and a superb male WHITE WAGTAIL feeding from the green bunds.

Five first-year Mute Swans were on the adjacent Grand Union Canal, where there was much activity from a pair of COMMON KINGFISHERS.

MARSWORTH RESERVOIR (HERTS)

The female RED-CRESTED POCHARD was back again (after visiting Startop's End last week), with a pair of Gadwall, 2 Grey Wagtails on the bunds and 8 Great Crested Grebes. There were 5 singing male COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS (including 4 in the Reedbed Wood), a singing male BLACKCAP and the CETTI'S WARBLER near the overflow.

IVINGHOE HILLS

Very, very quiet with not a hint of a migrant.