Thorley and Amwell

Bank Holiday started early as I had the morning off today. Not a very nice morning it must be said, being rather dull and with a cold northerly airflow. Typical May Bank Holiday weather.
I drove over to Thorley Wash, parking at the south end as it was a much easier walk than from Twyford Mill. Couple of Common terns fishing on the Lea Navigation, and several Willow Warblers Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the flooded woods alongside. Heard the Cuckoo as I got to the access bridge and shortly after heard two rather faint Grasshopper Warblers reeling. One was to the south and the other seemed to be in the small willows to the north, so I made my way up the path along the Lea. Very windy and noisy and the bird had shut up, though I did see something flitting around-might have been one of the Whitethroats though.
Decided to call in at Amwell, and was surprised to see Trevor's van parked there. Turns out a fair few that I usually expect to see on Sunday visits were there and also Jay.
Lots of hirundines flying overhead, at one point a couple of Swifts appeared, and also many more Terns now. All Common unfortunately, last night's Arctic had gone and I was probably a bit optimistic in betting Black Tern. Two Common Sandpipers were present, the first for the site this year and rather late.
Still one or two pairs of Teal, some Shoveller, three Egyptian Geese and the resident drake Wigeon.
Spent most of the time talking to Jay about cameras and flight photography techniques. Concentrated on the hirundines and of the 200+ images one or two came out well.