Or will it be an ear-opener? Will you first hear that Swift, screaming from the heavens, rejoicing at its journey’s end from Africa to England?
Certainly, it is highly likely that one species will be heard and not seen: the Cuckoo.
While Swifts will probably not be with us for another 10 days or so, the first Cuckoos have arrived. One was heard at Great Totham, between Witham and Maldon, on Monday and then one, possibly the same bird, was seen the next day at Shut Heath Wood, the nearby Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
On the same day, a magnificent Red Kite was spotted over Shut Heath, sent on its way by angry Buzzards. Sightings of Red Kite are becoming more frequent in Essex but it is still a huge thrill to see one of these spectacular birds of prey, with their rusty plumage, forked tail and huge wingspan.
Migrants do appear to be a little later this year and I did not see my first Swallow until last weekend. It was one of those classic little spring surprises – I only saw the bird because I had stopped in a lay-by to retrieve something from the car boot to keep my younger daughter happy!
Even better was a male Wheatear, flushed from cover by my dog, in the field behind my house, near Colchester. Wheatears are a favourite bird of mine, especially a stunning male like this one, with his characteristic dark eye stripe, white rump, black ‘T’ on his tail and lovely contrast of black, buff and blue-grey plumage. Smartly dressed, this dapper little chap was typically busy, too, energetically hopping on the ground and flicking his tail from the top of a bush.
Wheatears are by no means rare but seeing one so close to home was an uplifting moment. He, too, will have made the long journey from Africa and the majority are just stopping off in Essex, heading to breeding grounds further north and west in the UK.
Staying put are other African migrants: Nightingales. Yes, as predicted last week, they have arrived: the first bird was heard singing back at Fingringhoe Wick last Thursday and at least one singing male has taken up residence at our new nature reserve at Abberton Reservoir.
Charlie Oliver - Media and Marketing Officer