Just goes to show the difference an hour (or less) makes. Between 5pm-645pm we had neither Bar-tailed Godwit or Knot! We did however have the diminutive 2CY Glaucous Gull, which was hanging around the island in front of Crabhall Barn for a while, being regularly harassed by Herring Gulls.
2 Sandwich Tern were resting on a rock as the tide came in, close to 93 Oystercatcher (14 of which bore readable local colour rings). A single Black-tailed Godwit circled over having separated from a group of 7 Curlew (the limosa bird was last seen on 26th), and there were 2 Great Northern Diver out in the bay. Shelduck have been coming and going, engaging in some fantastic courtship based games of chase - there were 8 this evening.
Earlier in the day Brent Geese numbered 36 (all pale-bellied), and a 2CY Mediterranean Gull in the field above the house bore a red ring on its right leg: we strongly suspect it is Serbian Y168 but too far away to read. 5 birds were present this evening, with a decent showing of Common Gulls too.
Like everyone else we have had a little flush of spring migrants: Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap all singing at Crabhall, but we are still waiting for our first Gann Wheatear of the spring.