From the Observatory.

07.40hrs. 8 curlews flighting in from the estuary to feed on the William Condry reserve. No ospreys to be seen anywhere. But 2 pairs of courting, singing redshank up river from the bridge and 3 pairs similarly engaged down river to Glandyfi. More across the saltings towards Gogarth farm. 1st. male meadow pipits engaged in their wonderful climbing and curved diving, courtship displays with attendant change in their spring song.FIRST WHIMBRELS heard three times west of the house. Their unmistakeable staccato and clear notes echoing across the saltings.

14 magnificent greylags in perfect formation moving fast and climbing, heading east, announcing to the world their passage. 15.27hrs. a female osprey arrived from the direction of Derwenlas but was driven off the nest area by an aggressive carrion crow. This bird returned from whence it came spiralling into the distance. 16.19hrs. an osprey moving up river from the estuary to circle high above the observatory, to return westward again: ".... GONE FISHIN...."

20.15hrs. in near darkness, osprey on the top perch!

4 PAIRS OF GOOSANDERS still with us and 5 bachelor teal; their females nesting?