A fairly quiet week on the patch produced on 26th a lone Pink-footed Goose, 15 Wigeon, 22 Gadwall, 31 Teal, a Water Rail, 100 GBB Gulls, an immature female Peregrine and a singing male Blackcap, the latter being the first of the year. On 27th the Pink-footed Goose remained Wigeon had increased to 16, Gadwall to 23 and Teal to 34. A bit of visible migration was evident on 27th with 29 Sand Martins, a Swallow (first of the year), 43 Meadow Pipits and nine Siskins logged flying north whilst other species noted included a good count of 15 Common Buzzards, Water Rail, four Willow Tits (two singing males), two singing Treeceepers and two Redpoll, which were the first since the 7th. A gloriously sunny day on 28th encouraged raptors to take to the skies and after four hours of scanning and counting Buzzards (reaching a record breaking count of 28+) finally a Red Kite joined the party with a different bird (based on missing feathers in the right wing) seen flying high west. Six Sparrowhawks included two pairs displaying together over the embankment, there was a slight decrease in duck numbers, four Goosanders (one male) flew north, the male Blackcap was still singing and five species of butterfly were seen including the first Small White of the year and about ten Brimstones. Today (29th) was very quiet but two Pink-footed Geese, male Blackcap singing and a lone Sand Martin.