Landshipping area

Over the last few days we've been aware of increasing numbers of whimbrels arriving in our area in small flocks - there were 10+ at Landshipping 3 days ago, 15+ today and not less than 20 yesterday near the Black Mixen pool at the junction of Carew and Cresswell rivers. These were noted whilst we cycled around the country lanes. We've not cycled for years and so birding from a bike is a relatively new experience for us!

From the Lawrenny-side, we could also see at least 7 fairly late migrant teal feeding on the north-eastern shore of the Carew River. Today we could hear one, possibly two, redshanks calling on the Fowborough side of the Daugleddau but our local wintering greenshanks and teal have moved on now.

Today we noted that two house martins were back in the Landshipping area - the first ones we've seen here this spring. The local house martin breeding population is now much reduced unfortunately compared to the situation c.10 years ago, so it was nice to see that these two had returned to our local patch.

Among the numerous resident species, great spotted woodpeckers have been feeding young in a nest on one of our regular routes for a few days or so at least. A neighbouring treecreeper is also doing the same - its nest being hidden away in a crevice behind loose bark on one of the dead trees in the wood.

A recently emerged female Broad-bodied Chaser was also nice to see close-up as it rested on roadside vegetation - and not a car in sight!