14th May. Llyn Coed-y-Dinas.
The majority of the Black-Headed Gull colony has settled into incubation-mode, but some pairs are still nest-building and I saw 3 newly-hatched chicks yesterday. An attempt to count sitting birds on nests surprised me as I got to 397 - way higher than I would have estimated. It would be good if someone else would have a shot at the number, please!
In poor weather this morning, there were about 60 Sand Martin and 10 Swallow. The pair of Great-Crested Grebe are still present, but seemingly not on eggs, while the pair of Shelduck have been present for several days, and the Oystercatcher pair are busy displaying - I believe their first nesting attempt came to nothing after a long incubation. Reed Warblers are building in front of the hide, and Garden Warbler and Blackcap are singing on the way to it. At least one of the recently-erected nestboxes is occupied by Blue Tits.