Newport Wetlands got us off to a flying start with a day count of 66 including Avocet, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, black-bellied Dunlin and Whimbrel galore, Little Egret and Wheatear, along with a chorus of Reed and Cetti’s Warblers, while a family of playful Fox cubs was an added bonus. The spectacular Gower coast gave us more Whimbrel and Wheatears plus a pair of Buzzards hanging on the air above, but then rain forced a retreat eastwards to Slimbridge, where highlights included Brent Goose, rusty Black-tailed Godwits, a Peregrine, perched and in fast low flight, and a pair of Kingfishers, changing over at the nest hole. Not bad for a ‘wet weekend’.