An early Lesser Whitethroat at Alston Wetland
I'M EMBARRASSED TO SAY THIS WAS MY FIRST LESSER WHITETHROAT IN EAST LANCS! Still it was an early one, giving a 'tchack' call in the hedge behind the central screen at Alston Wetland, it wasn't singing and presumably very recently returned. A dunlin on the wetland itself was also new for the year for me in the ELOC area although I am not sure it will stay long owing the constant attention of the paranoid lapwings and Little Ringed Plovers. April is probably the best month of the year in East Lancs for migration. Also here were a pair of Gadwall and a lingering Goldeneye.
ELOC year list: 111. Dunlin 112. Lesser Whitethroat
Alston shorebirds. 'Get off my land' said the Little Ringed Plover to the Dunlin.