Lockdown, weeks 3 and 4

20 April - I'm certainly seeing the spring unfold locally in a more detailed way than usual, in these exceptional circumstances - a combination of more or less daily cycles around various lanes in the nearer part of CWP - the lack of traffic noise - and the fine, sunny weather. Over the last couple of weeks all the expected Warblers have now arrived, although numbers of some have yet to build up. There is always that moment of excitement when an old friend is heard again for the first time for the forthcoming season, mixed with amazement at the migration some of these tiny birds have undertaken - often the same individual returning to the same territory as in previous years. A special example of this is the Nightingale which is sadly diminishing in numbers year on year, but returns to the same area within CWP each April. Garden and Sedge Warblers seem to be in good numbers this year, Gardens being one of the later arrivals. I've heard a couple of Grasshopper Warblers (and seen one) and Reed Warblers are back too. Blackcaps are also numerous, I would say more so than usual..... Swallow numbers seen sparse, Sand martins are around their colony areas and the first early Swifts have been logged. Cuckoos were first heard on 15th and several are prominent around Cleveland Lakes and Waterhay. The dry weather means damp patches are at a premium, but Little Ringed Plovers are back in the usual habitat of new gravel areas and workings, and several pairs of Oystercatchers are moving around noisily. The continued fine clear weather means that there are few migrants being grounded in any "fallouts" but a rainy day on 18th produced 4 Wheatears and a Whinchat at Blakehill. I've also seen a Leveret and a Grass Snake recently!