Reserve Access; Please note, if visiting the Reserve, extensive flooding has effected the main path from the North Car Park to Mill Hill. Wellies are advised.
16th March. Again, fairly quiet for vis mig but a party of 5 migrant Sparrowhawks were circling together and Grey wagtail moved south. 2 Crossbills were in the North car Park pines before leaving south. An increase of Chiffchaffs was noted with at least 16 on the Reserve, the 7 Whooper Swans had roosted overnight on Tennyson's Sands where a Bearded Tit was seen and 3 Great White Egrets arrived. A Tawny Owl was vocal during the morning. Other birds around included a Bullfinch, a Brambling and 2 Yellowhammers.
15th March. Fewer birds on the move today with a slight change in wind direction, but 2 Collared Doves and a red Kite were the highlights. Birds around included a Hen Harrier, Green Woodpecker, Water Pipit, Woodcock, Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaffs singing around Sykes Farm with another 2 elsewhere and the first Sand Martin of the year.
14th March. Remaining mild with a southerly breeze and occasional light rain. Another good morning large flocks of waders on the high tide and visible migration with over 1500 Chaffinch moving south with many other Finches, Pipits, Rooks and Jackdaws. The highlights were another Woodlark and 3 Red Kites. 2 Spoonbills also flew south over Jackson's Marsh and 5 Chiffchaffs were around, mostly singing.
13th March. A cloudy and overcast start becoming bright and sunny with a south-westerly breeze. A much busier day for visible migration with many flocks of Chaffinches, Jackdaws and Rooks heading south. The highlights of the movement were single Sparrowhawk and Hen Harrier over the sea, 2 red Kites, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Woodlarks. The morning tide produced another good wader spectacle and at least 2 Chiffchaffs were in song.
12th March. Another dreary day with fairly poor visibility and light rain from early on becoming heavier mid-morning. Full wader counts were carried out this morning indicating a significant build up for some species as spring migration gets underway; 5290 Grey Plover, 6980 Dunlin, 7200 Knot, 2848 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1550 Oystercatcher and 790 Sanderling. Positive signs of visible migration were noted too with flocks of up to 30 Chaffinches heading low south with fewer meadow and Rock Pipits and Starlings. Other birds around included Short-eared Owl, Woodcock and 2 Water Pipits.
11th March. A grim day with intermittent rain and poor visibility. The high tide brought up some very good wader numbers but weather hampered any accurate counting.