5th May

 Went to a few sites in Shropshire despite the cold NW wind bringing multiple, heavy hail showers throughout the day; Venus Pool at first light produced my overdue first 2 Little Ringed Plovers of the year, a Common Sandpiper, a Red Kite and good numbers of singing Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warblers etc.   

The river at Buildwas then produced a single drake Mandarin, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Kingfisher, at least two male Redstarts and plenty of warblers seemingly singing in spite of the weather.   

Birds at Chelmarsh Reservoir in the afternoon then comprised 7 Dunlin (this is the best Shropshire wader passage can offer!), 3 Common Sandpipers, a Little Egret, a Swift with good numbers of hirundines and more warblers including my first couple of Garden Warblers of the year.

Two very different Dunlin together on the dam at Chelmarsh, I wonder if they are going to the same place

Sand Martin