Sunday May 14th

Arrived at New Hythe at 06.10 this morning and parked at the Brook House entrance. Several Nightingales and Blackcap and Whitethroat were singing on the path up to the open area. We had a quick check for grass snakes/slow worms but still a early in the morning and cold for them.

A Lesser Whitethroat was calling loudly but it wouldn't reveal itself, onto the scrape the Common Sandpiper showed really well and a Sparrowhawk flew over. Down the Mill Stream a Garden Warbler showed briefly and a two Sedge Warblers were singing. We could see large numbers of Hirundines over Brooklands Lake - at least 100 Swift and a few Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin - also 2 Cettis showed really well in the bushes.

Up to Abbey Mead Pit a single Turtle Dove was on the wires and at least 2 Cuckoo were calling as well as another 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Common Terns. Back across the railway 3 Lesser Whitethroat showed exceptionally well. It looked as if a pair were seeing off a 3rd bird.