Grafham Water - 11 May 2013

Following a couple of rather quiet days, fresh south-westerly winds with several very heavy showers, some with hail, late afternoon brought a few migrants in. A three hour spell at various points along the south side of the site. 

2 Turnstones were on the dam as were 3 Dunlin plus 8 on the lagoons as were 2 Avocets still; 4 Ringed Plovers and 3 Common Sandpipers were also on the dam and 3 Sanderling circled over the dam during heavy rain and may well have landed. 2 Arctic Terns were off the dam and 14 Common Terns were counted. A single third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull was the only larid of note.

4 Hobbies between the lagoons and dam sporadically harassed Swifts and hirundines with one successful kill (a House Martin).

Warblers were well down in numbers compared to the high numbers noted on the 8th and 9th of May with many having moved on, 2 Cetti's Warblers were singing at the lagoons. 

A single nominate Wheatear was on the dam, 2 Cuckoos were at the lagoons, 6 presumably local breeding Yellow Wagtails  on the dam. C 140 Swifts and c 230 Swallows were around during one the heavy showers.

Turnstones at a canter - Grafham dam