April

By the beginning of the month the early arriving summer visitors such as Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and, locally, Little Ringed Plover, will be present in areas of suitable habitat. Also, the first Swallows and Willow Warblers will be found at favoured locations.

The first wave of migrant Wheatears may have passed through to more northerly territories, but many more will be found throughout the month, either on hillside slopes, on grassy areas around lakes or occasionally on a ploughed field.

Around wetter habitats interesting, and mostly coastal, wader species such as Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Sanderling are unlikely to pass through until the last few days of the month. However, there are still good birds to be found, and Ruff or Avocet are more likely at the start of the month. April has over 70% of the records of Blue-headed Wagtail, with a handful of birds seen every year, and a few pairs of Garganey are certain to appear, along with migrant Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit.

The second half of the month sees the mass arrival of various warbler species. Blackcap and Whitethroat are the most numerous and widespread while records of scarcer species such as Grasshopper Warbler vary from year-to-year and all records are welcome.

Other species for which all records are particularly welcome are scarce but increasing species such as Woodlark and Firecrest, declining or scarcer local breeding species such as Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, and Nightingale, and the more elusive, and potentially extinct as breeders within the county, Redpoll, Redstart and Tree Pipit.

Winds with an easterly component and gloomy anticyclonic conditions in April have proved to be an excellent combination for holding up seabirds making their cross-country migrations, maybe from the Severn or the Solent to The Wash. The Saturday morning of Easter weekend in 2009 was one of the best in recent years and gives an insight into what could be seen, with Stewartby Lake hosting Arctic Skua, Kittiwake, Red-breasted Merganser, Black-necked Grebe and three species of Tern. Sandwich and Arctic Tern were also located elsewhere while, the following day, two flocks of Common Scoters were found, including 22 together at Brogborough Lake.

Arctic Tern has proved to be a regular spring migrant in recent years. Maybe the development of inland pits and reservoirs has encouraged an increase in cross-country migration, as these offer good feeding and resting opportunities. These birds may usually pass over the county without being noticed, but a small band of showers may be the trigger to bringing them down on to lakes and pits. The last week of the month is also a good time for passing Little Gulls and Black Terns, both of which are more numerous with easterly winds, and can occur singly or in flocks up to 50 or more. Maybe a Little Tern, or more rarely a White-winged Tern, may be found amongst these movements. Despite many recent records in local counties, Bedfordshire is yet to record a spring Whiskered Tern, which would be most welcome this year.

Migrant raptors are on the move in April, with migrant Marsh Harrier and Osprey most likely. Red Kite and Buzzard movements may also occur but, with large numbers already in the county, the separation of migrants from local birds may be impossible.

Rare birds found during April in recent years include Purple Heron (2012), Richards Pipit (2022), Spotted Crake (nocmig 2021), Red-necked Grebe (2018), Dotterel (2017), White-winged Black Tern (2015) and a handful of White Storks.