A brief visit principally for tea and cakes. In the car park a Willow Warbler was singing, and overhead five Buzzards were wheeling around. From the terrace, two Mistle Thrushes were feeding in the field, with nearby two Song Thrushes on the fence. A couple of Lapwings on the wetland at the bottom of the slope. Another Willow Warbler singing, along with a Whitethroat and a Blackcap, and a Green Woodpecker was heard. Two Kestrels flew through. Up to 30 Swifts in sight at a time, with occasional distant sightings of one or two each of Swallows and House Martins. The very tame House Sparrows were mainly interested in crumbs on the tables, but one was seen to catch a damselfly in flight.

Mid afternoon there were nine Hobbies hunting, catching Mayflies along south bank.
Two White Storks, 1 Honey-buzzard, 3 Red Kites, 3 Ravens and many Swifts noted flying over this afternoon. Little Ringed Plover in front on hide on mud.

Not a bird I see often out on walks these days so after hearing two singing and seeing a female carrying food last week it was good to see an adult female feeding at least two fledged young today.

A long session at our allotment, making the most of the first decent rain for over 6 weeks. A good selection of raptors today: 3 single Red Kites drifted E, the usual Buzzards, Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Kestrels nesting in a tree at the bottom.

At about 7pm, two Peregrines appeared in the sky over our garden in Horsham. One disappeared after a couple of minutes whilst the other continued to soar and circle for at least another 5 minutes, at one point close enough to see the facial markings without binoculars.
Also, earlier, on the fringe of the Knepp Estate was a Spotted Flycatcher.

6-8 Swallows have set up home at the Yoghurt Farm. Arrived in last couple of days.

Seen flying over Polegate bungalows near traffic lights this afternoon about 12.30. Not seen one this far down into the urban area only out along the Pevensey Marshes.

My first Swift of the year. Just one, over the house at 2.15pm.

The water level is now the lowest I’ve seen it and still going down, surprisingly the only wader this morning was a Redshank in front of the hide. Yesterday three Ringed Plovers and one Little Ringed Plover were around, up to five Hobbies still catching Mayflies along the south bank. Again this morning I had my highest count of Mandarin Duck of the year - 38.

On Wednesday evening I managed to count 31 Swifts over the local streets but probably missed a few as 35 is about average this time of year.