More migrants

The first patch Reed Warbler of the year had arrived at Hackney Marshes this morning, chuntering away in the main reedbed and refusing to reveal itself. Blackcaps were abundant with 10+ around the marshes along with a handful of Chiffchaffs. A scan of the racecourse from the cycle path produced a Wheatear - the first on the racecourse this year I believe - 5+ Swallows and, totally unexpectedly, a male Black Redstart flitting between fenceposts on the far side near the grandstands. I sent a few texts and called Laurie who soon joined me and we obtained reasonable though distant views through increasing heat haze.

As the tide peaked we walked on towards Passage House, where our conversation was stopped short by a calling Whimbrel. It flew up from the edge of the reeds and begun to circle over the estuary, eventually drifting off towards Newton Abbot. Also two or three Common Sandpipers were flitting between the channels and one or two more Reed Warblers could just be heard above the breeze.

Whimbrel silhouette