5th May 2017

A quick pre-work down to Neumann's was initially quiet, with just 2 little ringed plovers and a single common sandpiper. Reed warblers chugged away hidden from view, and a trilling little grebe was notable on there. Great crested grebes are settled on a nest and there were the usual shelduck, shoveler and gadwall, but nothing felt like migration despite the east wind. Just as I was about to pack up 8 waders flew in - Ruff - with 7 females and a smart breeding plumage male. They flew around for ages, alighting for few moments twice on the island before heading off. Proper migration, and proof that you need to put the time in. I also saw my first swift of the year, and there was a rather showy garden warbler by the entrance.