I have learned today that Siskin numbers are up in my area, North Scotland.

Also the 11 Cranes are still around the old airfield of Milltown near Lossiemouth, I believe these have also travelled from Scandanavia, they havebeen feeding in the area for the last 4 weeks.

Last year there were Cranes breeding at the Lakenheath reserve, this only opened last May, for anyone in this area I can highly recommend it, if only for the fact that I believe Moggy has visited it.
It also is one of the few breeding sites in the UK for Golden Orioles, I’ve only ever seen them in Hungary and they really are stunning birds.
It must be the only reserve where you can see rare species, do a bit of train spotting and have to put your fingers in your ears when the F-15’s come over in full reheat, I’m looking forward to a day out there when all the migrants arrive, I reckon early May could be a good time for a good all round day out, and it’s free, well, donation only, the visitor centre and bogs are very tasteful and the warden is a right keen type, in a very pleasant sort of way.
I wonder if the very large local American population have discovered it yet.

Incidentally, our very large influx of Siskins is getting a bit out of hand, they seem to have taken over the feeders entirely, our locals aren’t getting a look in, very strange situation.