Latest news from Carr Vale is that there has at last been an arrival of many of our summer visitors. On 15th nine Grey Lag Geese, eight Wigeon still (declining to four by 20th), a male Shoveler, pair of Pochard (still present on 20th), two Water Rails, Dunlin, two Common Sandpipers, adult intermedius race Lesser Black-backed Gull, immature female Peregrine and a Grey Wagtail. On 16th 37 Gadwall, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler and a Redpoll north whilst on 17th Water Rail, an extra Oystercatcher, Curlew, two Whimbrel north at 0745, two Common Sandpipers, Common Tern, 25 Sand Martins, singing Grasshopper Warbler, two Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, two Redpolls north and a Stoat. On 18th Green Sandpiper (unusual in spring here and still present on 20th) and Sedge Warbler were new for the year, two Pink-footed Geese (still present on 20th), Water Rail, two Common Sandpipers still, Common Tern, intermedius race Lesser Black-backed Gull again, three Yellow Wagtails and two Redpolls north. Bird of the day on 19th was a superb adult female Marsh Harrier that spent about ten minutes over the reserve before continuing north. Also on 19th 37 Teal, Water Rail seen, a singing Goldcrest, the first Whitethroat of the year and another two Redpoll north with notable counts of 30 Orangetips and 20 Speckeld Woods. On 20th an increase in Warbler numbers with the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year, two Whitethroats, two Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Warblers up to at least six singing males whilst the best of the rest included a very showy Water Rail, Common Tern and the first Kingfisher of the month.