Had first Swift over Birch Avenue today at 1215hrs, watching it for 5 minutes then had to dash off up Grane so wasnt able to check it out later. Dont know if it was passing through or one of our locals. (It has happened before that I get one of the locals here about 16-18th April and then it is joined by the others maybe one to two weeks later. Today is the earliest for me.
Also had another early one on Saturday when we had a pair of House Martins chasing one another around here for several hours. I saw them on maybe 4 or 5 times during the late morning early afternoon. Not seen them since, so again cannot say whether they are passing birds or locals back on territory.
Had my first Common Sandpiper today at Calf Hey....
