Gropper

Good numbers of Sandwich Terns have been off the seafront, and in the estuary, the last three days.

A quick look at Orcombe after work, this afternoon, produced 4 Wheatears and a handful of Swallows, but the clear highlight was my first Grasshopper Warbler of the year, inadvertently flushed from lush vegetation at the base of a hedge, and showing briefly in the hedge before nervously dropping back down into cover.

First thing this morning, from Maer Rocks, 1 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Canada Geese, 16 Sandwich Terns, 1 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 24 Shag.

Yesterday - Maer Rocks - 45+ Sandwich Terns and 1 Whimbrel. Mudbank - 26 Sandwich Terns, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Dunlin, 20 Whimbrel and a Willow Warbler. Orcombe - 5 Wheatear and 12+ Swallow.

On 28/4 - No luck with the Little Terns, after a long day at work, but 65+ Sandwich Terns and 4 Black-headed Gulls off Mudbank, at dusk.

The Green-winged Orchids are about at their best at the moment. Not a huge amount of variation in colour but both pink and white forms photographed this afternoon.

First-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull - Mudbank.