2 Swifts were at Barton on April 20th but no others until 13 yesterday when I had the first over the garden. About 15 today and 30+ House Martins. The Slavonian Grebe making its stay 2 months and no sign of leaving, 2 Goldeneye hanging on, first Wheatear of the year round the pits amazingly but a Cuckoo singing this aft was a relief but still no TD -- only 40 years ago there were 35 -40 pairs nesting between Barton and Barrow Haven. Wader passage is almost non existent, one Common Sand and 2 Whimbrel in last 2 days, warblers filtering in but Reeds very thin, fewer Sedge than normal, Chiffs and Blackcaps going quiet as they are all breeding, still 11 Cettis singing but not a single Bearded Tit, no Bitterns, another very odd year but in general overall declines seem to outweigh the gains. Last evening did a 5 mile walk on the Wolds hoping for dopy plovers but all pea a sugarb fields were bird free and the miles of winter wheat were the most depressing monoculture with just the odd Skylark and Corn Bunting but generally the agro chemical industry has destroyed any vestige of life over thousands of square miles of farmland.
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