Bank holiday birding

1 May - a showery day and an east wind, good for spring birding. I headed for Frampton where Black terns had been seen on the sailing lake, and had good views of one bird together with several Common Terns. Distinctive smaller size, dark plumage and dainty flight. Always good birds to see on their spring migration. Another was performing well in front of the hides on South Lake at Slimbridge, where numbers of the waders present were moulting into their breeding plumage - male Ruffs with their head and neck finery, and smart chestnut Black-tailed Godwits. A first-year Spoonbill was present on the Tack Piece, and the summer walkway out to Mid Point resulted in views of a very showy singing Grasshopper Warbler, exceptional for this normally skulking species. Summer-plumaged Grey Plovers also present on the river. Finally, a check at Shorncote revealed the Greenshank still to be present, always elegant and one of my favourite waders - accompanied by 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 LRPs. In addition, a Hobby appeared and circled at close range, and a male Yellow Wagtail perched up obligingly. Other birds today - Cuckoo, Nightingale, nesting Avocets. A very productive session and home for a late lunch......