29th Apr – Rush of Willow Warblers and Swallows, first Swift

Richard Campey reports that Millcombe was "heaving" first thing, with a major fall of Willow Warblers (including one acredula type), a Wood Warbler (seen by Dean Jones), singing Sedge Warbler, three Grasshopper Warblers (ringed), about 20 Blackcaps, at least two Tree Pipits and a Cuckoo. 30 unringed Wheatears south of Halfway Wall were all males, whilst a further 30, north of Threequarter Wall, were mostly females. Other notable species included the first Swift of the year, a Black Redstart along the Terrace, four Teal, five Dunlin, four Whimbrel, a Greenfinch and two Lesser Redpolls. A review of estimated totals at the end of the day came up with 1,000+ Willow Warblers and over 2,000 Swallows – at last!

Observations from Richard Campey, Rob Duncan, Dean Jones, David Kightley and visiting staff and students from the University of Exeter.