I have just heard my first Chiffchaff singing in the cold.
At Upton the Heronry is deserted. 7 well built nests and two others capable of being used plus one started but not finished but NO birds around the site at all. On the estuary nearby over 100 Carrion crows foraging on the mudflats. A symptom of the cold weather and the poor feeding for Herons??
On another similar note the St Brides Rookery (c.30 nests started) is deserted and the Dale one (over 100 nests) is busy but probably less than 50% of nest seem occupied. At Trewarren (St Ishmaels) around 30 nests seem busy enough. I wonder if the cold easterly airflow and very dry weather has caused Rooks some feeding difficulties.
