Report from Roger Lane. 29th April 2010

"Change in the weather brought down some birds at the Sewage Farm. Visited Manoa when rain was at it's heaviest and hirundines at their lowest ! Was amazed with the number of birds, seemingly occupying all local airspace. By driving across the cattle grid towards Menagwins and parking in the field some quarter mile on, it is possible to look down on the (ever changing) flock, and differentiate species ie. see the white rumps of house martins etc.
From this viewpoint I estimated some 400 birds ! Took awhile to ascertain the proportions, though at one time 150+ martins and swallows were resting on overhead wires, and it didn't seem to reduce the main flock ! Anyway I eventually came away with a best estimate of : 30 x Sd.Martins (coming to end of imm); 250 x House Martins(now at peak imm); 100 x Swallows (passed peak) and 20 x C.SWIFTS (my 1st this year on usual date !).Total flock MAY have been 500, wouldn't argue with that !
Went to Par still in rain, and it was useless ! Nothing to mention even in Bay. On way home called in at Carlyon Bay cliff car-park and due to calm sea was able to pick out: 3 x Gannets; 3 x G.N.Divers and 2 x B.T.Divers. Not bad for a day's rain, but where are the Waders ? As at: Thurs. 29thApril, 2010."

Thanks for the report Roger.
It seems it paid off on a rainy day.