Migrants are arriving!

After 10 days of mild spring like weather we headed up Gunnerside Ghyll Saturday to see whether any of the spring migrants had arrived. Our route took us up the ghyll to Eweleap Scar, back south and east across Merryfield, past Old gang mines, on to Surrender Bridge, further east through Cringley Bottoms, across Barney Beck and west to Hilton, Riddings and on to Low Row for a pint. We finished off by walking along the river back to Gunnerside.
The first bird news of the day was discovery of a rather messy blackbirds nest in the coal house, amazingly constructed on top of the open door. Last year they nested in the same building but I mice or rats got to the eggs which was disappointing - hopefully they may do better this year.
As we progressed up the ghyll it was clear that the Mipits had arrived in big numbers, they seemed to be everywhere! Infact they were just about all we saw for the first hour or so, give or take a grouse or two. It was not until we got into the relative shelter of the area around Old gang Mines that we started to pick up a few more birds. Infact at the mines itself we found the first Wheatear of the year, a male in full breeding colours - looked stonking. Also in the area were 2 Grey Wags, 3/4 Pied Wags and a Stonechat. Up above on the moors were a few lapwings, Curlew and the odd Golden Plover calling.
In the fields and woodland down towards Healaugh there seemed to be alot of song and mistle thrushes around which is always nice to see. On Feetham Pasture we spooked a lone Snipe that I guess may well be looking to breed in the area. After a well earned drink at the Punch Bowl we walked back along the Swale. At Rowleth we chalked up the first Sand Martin of the year, a rather lonesome bird but he did seem to finding enough insects to feed on. On the same strech we also disturbed a pair of female Goosanders and 4 Redshanks that again may well be looking for good nesting sites. The regular pair of Oystercatchers have also arrived back at Isles Bridge. No sign yet of any Sandpipers, nor Ring Ouzel up on the moor - still it is early yet!