Hoopoe Dip

I was in London working yesterday when a Hoopoe turned up at Medmerry (exactly where I had been looking for one the evening before). Marc Read had it feeding right until dusk yesterday (not going to roost and feeding up to migrate probably) so I was not expecting much when I set out this morning to look for it. No Hoopoe (Vid here from previous day by Bart) but a beautiful morning thick with bird song- the Skylarks, Yellowhammer and Linnets were now in concert with Sedge Warbler, Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs- most of which only arrived yesterday too. 

Not much else - 3 Little Ringed Plovers on Stilt Pool (the Least Sand re-appeared there later in the day) and a Siskin, Sand Martin and Yellow Wagtail flew over calling.

In the evening, after another work day in the office (which included a couple of trades as Trump's tarriffs wreak havoc in global markets- all part of the unsustainable global society unable to be sustained?- who knows?- glad we've nearly finished our self sufficiency planting just in case)  I quickly checked out the Chalk Lane Horse Paddocks- just three Swallows flying around and a pair mating on the wires were the only signs of any migrants. 

I haven't bothered putting the moth light on at night as there have been lightly frosty nights with temperatures around 3-5 degrees as the anticyclonic clear conditions with a north easterly wind continue. 

Male Common Whitethroat- my first for the year 

Little Ringed Plover on Stilt Pool 

Barn Swallow this evening on Chalk Lane 

Male Yellowhammer at Medmerry- the bird of Medmerry- literally everywhere 

Male Stonechat

Back at home, all the trees and plants we planted up in winter are now coming out in leaf- here's the willow in the front garden. The front garden is mainly ornamental but most of the back garden is fruit trees and fruit and veg set in wildflower meadows and we've planted a bee and butterfly border in the front garden.  

Our ducks are coming on well- only just over a week old. From left to right Pancake, Crumpet and Muffin. Part of the self-sufficiency plan- daily eggs and if Trump really messes things up- Pancake might end up in a pancake with plum sauce. Planning on getting chickens and rabbits too.