And another ESSEX RED-RUMPED SWALLOW

Highlight of a spin out on the bike late this afternoon was a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW near Chigborough Lakes. The bird was initially over the fishing lake on the east side of the road opposite Chigborough Farm, along Chigborough Road, off the Goldhanger Road, the B1026 at approx 7.15pm. It then disappeared as the locals arrived but thankfully was relocated on the newlake east of Rook Hall Fm, just east of the lake it was first on. Viewing access along a footpath off Chigborough Road, through Rook Hall Fm to viewlake at TL883085. Room for one or two cars to park on the road or perhaps better to park at the Chig lakes Reserve carpark 200m further along the road and walk back. Also there, needless to say, c80 Swallow and a few House and Sand Martin. A male Marsh Harrier passed over south, also Sparrowhawk and Grey Wag. Lofts Fm had c150 each of Swallow and House Martin and a few Sand Martin and Yellow Wag. At Heybridge Pits a Common Nightingale was singing at the basin end and another new arrival was singing in the main reedbed (Russell Neave)

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW at Shoeburyness, ESSEX

had the good fortune to find a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW at Gunners Park this evening. Initially only present for less than 2 minutes with House Martins in front of a heavy shower, it then reappeared some 40 minutes later and continued to show well, at arms length at times, for another 2 hours. Also present were a Common Sandpiper on the lake, a few Swifts and a Harbour Porpoise offshore (Neil Chambers)

Strathbeg DOTTEREL trip

A trip of 8 DOTTERELS in the second field south of the Tufted Duck Hotelat approx NK055620 (per Dominic Funnell)

More Cambs news hot off the press

3 Temminck's Stints still today at Tubney Fen, west of Reach TL554665 (per rarebirdalert.com)

The Red-rumped Swallow is still around Gunwade Lake, Ferry Meadows CP at 12.15pm (per rarebirdalert.com) and at Grafham Water, 2 Ring Ouzels still 11am (Bruce Martin)(per Mark Hawkes)

CURLEW SAND and GREAT WHITE EGRET in CAMBS

Curlew Sandpiper in partial summer plumage on Berry Fen from ca. 08.00 -08.45, but later, when I came past at 09.30, I couldn't relocate it, so it may well have gone.

Otherwise Great White Egret still on Little Fen, Common Greenshank, drake Garganey - flew off towards Ouse Fen, 6 Egyptian Geese - flew off down river and Common Sandpiper - Needingworth Quarry Lake

Ouse Fen was deadly dull; I'd expected a few waders but absolutely nothing. Last night, 1 flyover Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper on Sophie's Pool. Plus lots of rain and freezing cold winds (Richard)

Grafham Water today

Between the rain and hail showers from 07.30-10.00

Turnstone on dam
Common Sandpiper on dam
Ring Ouzel, 2 still NW of Marlow CP at 9am at TL164683.
Great Northern Diver 2cy just west of Marlow CP

Good numbers of Swifts still, plus Swallows and Martins (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)

Lomg Mynd DOTTERELS

The pair of DOTTEREL still present close to the gates at the Long Mynd gliding station this morning at 0730Two Golden Plover close by(per Ed Birch)