Sundays April snow showers and migrants

Despite a sudden down-turn in the weather, there were good numbers of sand martins and a few swallows and house martins on the move. Hundreds of sand martins were reported over Bosherston Lakes during the day - certainly the largest number there so far this spring.

Inland it was interesting to do timed-tetrad visit to Canaston/Minwear areas - counting birds as the sleety-snow fell quite heavily for a time. Despite this, large numbers of blackcaps and chiffchaffs continued to sing throughout, with most of the local residents in full song. Nuthatches, treecreepers (visiting nest sites) and marsh tits were singing. Bullfinches seen were still in small flocks - no sign yet of any on territory.

Despite the snow, my first tree pipit of the year was calling in a usual "pipit glade". They seem to come quite early here. No sign yet of wood warblers or redstarts though. Several siskins were displaying and I wondered if the snow showers had woken up the tawny owls - three males were hooting at around mid-day in different parts of the forest.

At least two pairs of dipper are nesting between Canaston Bridge and Blackpool Mill this year. From their behaviour a couple of weeks ago they must be on eggs or even have young now.