April has produced fairly typical weather this year, so migration has been pretty much on track and many of our resident birds have got on with nesting without delay.
The first Strawberry Line bird survey (3rd) recorded plenty of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. There were none until the end of April last year.
Jackie Huxtable phoned to report her first Swallow and told me that she had seen two Kingfishers regularly at Cooks Lane.
Rob Treble recorded a Willow Warbler singing in his garden – an unusual record and almost certainly a passage bird singing whilst feeding up to continue its migration.
The Willow Warbler population has moved north west to be replaced by Chiffchaffs which have moved the other way. Then on the 22nd Jo Batten heard a Cuckoo at Ladye Bay, Clevedon.
On the same day I was told of one at Mendip Springs Golf Club, Congresbury. The next day John Croxton and I walked the Strawberry Line to listen and not only did we hear it, we were treated to lovely views, firstly perched and then in flight.
Red kites are on the move – one was over Nailsea (15th) and another over Yatton (20th).
Indications are that two of Yacwag’s boxes have Barn Owls resident and one or two others are inhabited by Tawny Owls. Both species could really do with a productive breeding season to restore their numbers following lack of success in 2012 and 2013.
Migrants will continue to arrive and pass through until the end of May so please keep looking and listening. As always your reports are very welcome.
Trevor Riddle. 01934 835208
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