Pair Garganey - Marloes Mere

Pair Garganey on the mere this evening. They did a fly around before I managed to track them down out from Britton Hide. A Short-eared owl was covering western end, dropped down a couple of times. My first Swift of the year and a male Cuckoo on Trehill side. 20 Ringed plover behind former YHA building. Cracking evening, makes all those hard days worth while. 16 pr Teal and 4 drakes. 2 pr Shoveler and 2 drakes. 3 pr Mallard plus 20 drakes.

Gann earlier 4pm: 104 Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed godwit with them, on roadside in front of the cottages, one had a red ring. 40 Ringed plover and 30 Dunlin by river mouth. The Curlew sandpiper was on waters edge in company of 4 Dunlin. 2 Common sandpipers and 2 Redshank on pools. 6 Wheatear and 4 White wagtails, plus 2 Pied on grassy bank. Whilst reviewing this evening pics noticed what appears to be a melanistic whimbrel in the flock!