Had a lovely afternoon out today - great to be able to enjoy some sunshine after all that rain! Heard and saw my first lesser whitethroat of the year and lots of common whitethroats were in great voice. So good to have them back! The nightingales were performing and showing well (I heard at least 6 singing males), so were blackcaps, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, greenfinches, lapwings, blackbirds, song thrushes and chaffinches. An adder was also enjoying the sunshine, right next to the sign telling visitors about adders.

At Church Norton, I was hoping to find some wheatears and wasn't disappointed -there were about six of these little beauties, feeding on beach, including at least two very smart-looking males. A beautiful male sparrowhawk was perched on a fence post. I heard my first cuckoo of the year, which was great! Lots of Sandwich terns were announcing their presence as well. Another 'first' for me has left me very sad though - I found a dead bird on the beach (see picture). Not how I wanted to see my first ever guillemot! It had plastic string wrapped around its bill/neck/body and will have died a slow and horrible death. When will people realise what their rubbish & dumping it on our beaches does do wildlife?!?!