Spring Sprung and 124

What a fabulous early spring I've had, the patch has erupted with life and birds passing through have added to the interest.

Track along the Coquet to Helsay

I'm still keeping a patch list nicely updated and I have had few visits where there hasnt been something to add. A wintry feel to the new birds at the beginning of March with Water Rail, Peregrine and Jack Snipe on the same morning.
The 'Old Water' and saltmarsh area of the estuary used to be a very good and reliable area for Jack Snipe, back in the day... Water Rail I suspect breed on the patch.

The Goldeneye moved on from The Butts area early in April and Chiff Chaff seen on 22nd March summer visitors began to feature through April; 

Sand Martin 6th
Avocet 6th
Blackcap 12th
Sandwich Tern 12th
Wheatear 15th
Swallow 15th
Willow Warbler 16th
Common Tern 16th
Marsh Harrier 22nd
Common Whitethroat 26th
Grasshopper Warbler 26th
Reed Warbler 26th

Marsh Harrier

Into early May;

I've been keeping in touch with local bird news too, not something I'm normally used too. This helps focus on potential species for the patch and fine tunes, your expectations (and frustrations).
Large numbers of Whimbrel reported from only a few miles down the coast and only a single to report on the estuary on the 4th, Black Tailed Godwit too, reported in numbers but only a single again on the 4th.... so far.

The 4th of May was an excellent morning.. 9 new birds this year

Lesser Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
Greenshank
Sedge Warbler
House Martin
Black Tailed Godwit
Whimbrel
Swift

 May is really warming up, some good weather patterns and birds still moving through, Yellow Wagtail and Common Redstart added.. 124 species so fr this year...

I'm loving the patch.. 

Colour returning to the dunes