Birdwatching Trip Report – 11th April 2026

15th April, 2026

An exciting time of year for a Birdwatching Tram Special, with spring migration in full flow and birds in fine voice.  

Overnight rain ensured there was a nice selection of warblers recorded during the trip, including four singing Willow Warblers, two singing (but invisible) Reed Warblers and a Sedge Warbler.  Although some of these birds may stay and breed in the Axe Valley, others will only be here briefly before they carry on with their northwards migration to wherever they end up breeding.

It was also good to see so many Sand Martin, with many feeding low over the ground due to the cold westerly wind.  At least two Swallows put in an appearance too, showing off their blue toned upperparts and long forked tail compared to the browner and smaller Sand Martins.

At least twenty Black-tailed Godwits were on Black Hole Marsh, some still in their grey winter plumage but others looking fine in full breeding plumage.  A small number of Teal and a pair of Gadwall were presumably hangers on from the winter, however it wouldn’t be impossible for either of these two species to breed here so fingers crossed!

In total 52 species of birds were recorded during the two-hour trip.

Species List - 11/04/2026
Mute Swan	Carrion Crow
Canada Goose	Green Woodpecker
Shelduck	Swallow
Gadwall	Sand Martin
Teal	Blue Tit
Mallard	Great Tit
Cormorant	Long-tailed Tit
Pheasant	Blackcap (heard)
Little Egret	Reed Warbler (heard)
Grey Heron	Sedge Warbler
Buzzard	Chiffchaff (heard)
Kestrel	Willow Warbler
Moorhen	Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Oystercatcher	Wren (heard)
Black-tailed Godwit	Blackbird
Curlew	Song Thrush
Redshank	Robin
Black-headed Gull	Stonechat
Common Gull	Dunnock
Lesser Black-backed Gull	House Sparrow
Herring Gull	Meadow Pipit
Great Black-backed Gull	Chaffinch
Woodpigeon	Greenfinch
Stock Dove	Goldfinch
Magpie	Linnet
Rook	Reed Bunting