The Gann this afternoon plus other things

Went down to the Gann as I thought there ought to be Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper. There were - about 20 Whimbrel flying around and calling a lot. The Common Sandpiper had me stumped for a bit - I eventually found one feeding in the weed on the shoreline with 2 Turnstones, 3 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin, many of these looking resplendant in summer togs. At first I didn't recognise the Sandpiper in such an odd setting - was it something rare??? Then it started to bob and gave the game away!

I can't beat the rivetting saga of the "bush" but we did have a new garden a bird few weeks ago - a Nuthatch passed through, calling all the time. They probably breed at St Brides, which is nearby, but they are never easy to see there which is odd as they are normally such noisy birds. Perhaps there is only one pair so they don't bother much about calling to establish territory.

This year we seem to have a resident Willow Warbler just outside the garden - usually they just pass through. I agree with Bob and Annie that there are loads around this year. And the Grasshopper Warbler has been singing from the marsh for a week now so lets hope he stays too.

Rosemary