Škocjanski zatok: some new spring arrivals today were of note. The highlight being a singing WRYNECK by the Ara canal - on a high tree (pics above). I suppose it is quite an early record...at least for my standards. The hedges along the path held several singing WILLOW WARBLERS, lots of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. In the brackish lagoon 5 COMMON TERNS represented another "first for the year". Other birds in the area included: 1 WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (odd record - and blind on an eye!), 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Wigeons, 7 Garganeys, 2 Pochards, 2 male Ferruginous Duck, at least 6 Black-winged Stilts, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 GREY PLOVER in the lagoon, 18 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 21 Greenshanks, 4 Spotted Redshanks, several Snipes, 9 Ruffs, 2 singing Crested Larks, 3 Swallows (on passage), 1 Yellow Wagtail, usual Penduline Tits and Reed Buntings in the reedbed and 13 Jackdaws landing in the freshwater marsh.
Common Terns:
Ruddy Shelduck:
White-fronted Goose (see the blind eye):