Late March 2014

March 31st. A slight south easterly wind. Mostly cloudy with occasional sunny intervals.

March 30th. A moderate easterly wind. Mostly cloudy.
Around were a Tawny Owl, 20 Avocet, 6 Corn Bunting, a Barn Owl and 2 Chiffchaff.
  A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in just 10 new birds and 3 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch. The retraps were 2 Great Tit and a Greenfinch.

March 29th. A brisk easterly wind. Mostly sunny.
Around the reserve were a Merlin, 35 Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, a drake Pochard, 2 Tawny Owl, 5 Chiffchaff and a Siskin. Still very quiet on the reserve at the moment!

March 28th. A breezy easterly wind. Sunny intervals.
The only birds recorded today were a Barn Owl, a Merlin and 6 Corn Bunting with 14 Avocet and 7 Black-tailed Godwit on Tennyson's Sands

March 27th. A fairly brisk easterly wind. Sunny intervals with showers.
Around today were 6 Chiffchaff, a Coal Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Snipe, a Song Thrush, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier and a Barn Owl. 6 Rook flew south. 30 Avocet and 10 Black-tailed Godwit were on Tennyson Sands.

March 26th. A fairly strong northerly wind. Sunny intervals with showers.
A sea-watch from first light was again predictably quiet with 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a single Eider on the sea, with 7 Red-throated Diver and a Merlin going north. A Harbour Porpoise went north close to shore. There were 39 Avocet on Tennyson Sands. Also around were a Sparrowhawk, 5 Chiffchaff, 15 Redwing, a Yellowhammer, 121 Ringed Plover, 4000 Dunlin, 50 Turnstone, 300 Curlew, 42 Oystercatcher, 13 Sanderling and 200 Redshank.

March 25th. An increasing easterly wind. Sunny intervals.
Around the reserve today were 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, 2 southbound Marsh Harrier and a Green Woodpecker seen well which proved to be an adult female.
  A wind-restricted ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 13 new birds and 7 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll (the first of the year) and a Brambling (also the first of the year). The retraps were 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, a Chaffinch and a Long-tailed Tit.

March 24th. A moderate south easterly wind. Sunny.
Limited coverage with the only reports of any note being 2 adult Mediterranean Gull briefly on Tennyson Sands, 2 Barn Owl and a male Hen Harrier. One of the Mediterranean Gull was colour-ringed and was ringed in Belgium in 1997 making it 17 years old!

March 23rd. A breezy north-westerly then northerly wind. Sunny intervals in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
A RED KITE drifted south at 0930 and a BEARDED TIT was around The Mere. 3 Sand Martin were around Tennyson Sands and Jackson's Marsh.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 19 new birds and 21 retraps. The new birds were 7 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Great Tit, 2 Siskin, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit. The retraps were 6 Blue Tits, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit and a Dunnock. The 2 Chiffchaff are the first-ringed Chiffchaff of the year! (Last year the first Chiffchaff was ringed on the 12th April).

March 22nd. A strong south westerly wind. Mostly sunny.
Limited coverage with Hen Harrier (ringtail), Peregrine, Merlin, Barn Owl and Sparrowhawk seen. The 3CY Mediterranean Gull was again on Tennyson Sands.

March 21st. A fairly strong south westerly wind. Mostly sunny.
The sea was predictably quiet with just 2 Red-throated Diver and a single Eider south. Visible migration involved 78 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 2 Redpoll sp, 6 Linnet, a Brambling, 6 Alba Wagtail, 12 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 150 Starling, 26 Rook and a Marsh Harrier moving south. Around the reserve were 7 Yellowhammer, a Green Woodpecker, a Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Water Pipit, a Green Sandpiper, a Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzard and 2 Mediterranean Gull.

Mid March 2014

March 20th. A strong south westerly wind. Sunny intervals.
Around were 2 Snipe, 2 White Wagtail, a Tawny Owl, a Barn Owl and 11 Redwing. South went 65 Chaffinch, 2 Alba Wagtail, 28 Siskin, 2 Rook, a Brambling and 16 Meadow Pipit.

March 19th. A brisk west-south-west wind. Mostly cloudy.
On the sea were 3 Teal, a Great Crested Grebe and a Red-throated Diver whilst 2 Gannets and a Common Scoter flew north. A RED KITE was around the sycamore plot and a Sand Martin was around "The Hump". A FIRECREST was found late afternoon north of North Car Park. 2 Grey Heron, 22 Siskin and 162 Chaffinch went south. 2 Spotted Redshank were on Tennyson Sands. Also around were a Barn Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

March 18th. A strong westerly wind. Mostly cloudy with occasional rain.
Around were 2 RED KITE, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and a Barn Owl. 8 Fieldfare flew west. South went a Sand Martin, 63 Golden Plover, 7 Rook, 4 Brambling, 47 Chaffinch and a possible Wood Lark (a single call, although bird not seen). A 3CY Mediterranean Gull was on Tennyson Sands.

March 17th. A brisk westerly wind. Sunny morning, cloudier afternoon.
A Great Skua flew north at sea early on. A visible migration watch from Mill Hill 0700 to 0915 saw 7 Rook, 16 Carrion Crow, 152 Wood Pigeon, 16 Chaffinch, 19 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Siskin, 12 Crossbill, 2 Meadow Pipit and an "alba" Wagtail south. Around the reserve were 18 Avocet, a Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Tawny Owl, male Hen Harrier, 2CY female Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Common Buzzard, a Chiffchaff, a Green Woodpecker and the first Swallow of the year. A Spotted Redshank was on Tennyson Sands.

March 16th. A strong west-north-west wind. Sunny.
Around were a Brambling, a Tree Sparrow, 5 Yellowhammer, a Barn Owl, 30 Redwing, 3 Woodcock, a Merlin, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Sand Martin south.

March 15th. A fairly strong westerly wind. Cloudy morning, sunny afternoon.
Around were a Green Woodpecker, a Siskin, a Woodcock and 15 Avocet. South went 2 Egyptian Geese and a Sand Martin.

March 14th. An increasing west-south-west wind. Foggy morning, sunnier afternoon.
Around today were a female Marsh Harrier, a female Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, a Woodcock and 36 Turnstone. 6 Roe Deer, (2 Bucks and 4 Does) were on Croftmarsh.
  A 3 hour morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 14 new birds and 20 retraps. The new birds were 6 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 2 Great Tit. The retraps were 8 Blue Tit, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Long-tailed Tit and a Robin.

March 13th. A slight north easterly wind. Foggy start then sunny.
Around were a Siskin, a Green Woodpecker, a Grey Heron, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Tawny Owl and a Rook.
Counts from the water bodies resulted in: 50 Golden Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 16 Avocet, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, a Pochard, 65 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 22 Tufted Duck, 41 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 23 Coot, 12 Moorhen, 8 Little Grebe, 29 Shelduck, 68 Mallard, 4 Goldeneye and 13 Lapwing.

March 12th. A slight east-north-east wind. Sunny.
Around were 28 Avocet, 12 Snipe, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Turnstone, a Peregrine, a Tawny Owl and a Green Woodpecker. 2 Water Pipit were on the Old Saltmarsh. A reserve record count of 87 Shoveler were on Tennyson Sands. On Croftmarsh was an adult Black Brant Goose with 400 Brent Geese.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 39 new birds and 22 retraps. The new birds were 21 Greenfinch, 10 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit and a Siskin. The retraps were 7 Greenfinch, 7 Great Tit, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.

March 11th. A brisk east-north-east wind. Mostly sunny.
Around was a Wheatear (showing well all day on the Visitor Centre lawn), a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 74 Ringed Plover, 7 Snipe, 2 Goldcrest, 28 Avocet, a Barn Owl and a Green Woodpecker. 2 Water Pipit were on the Old Saltmarsh. A Chiffchaff in the East Dunes looked good for Siberian Chiffchaff but was not heard to call.
  A 3 hour morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 16 new birds and 12 retraps. The new birds were 11 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch and a Goldfinch. The retraps were 10 Greenfinch, a Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.

Early March 2014

March 10th. Fairly strong northerly wind. Mostly cloudy, much cooler than yesterday.
Sea Watch 0625 to 0900hrs. On the sea were a Wigeon, an Eider, 50 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe. Flying south were 9 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 19 Eider, 6 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and 2 Gannet. A Harbour Porpoise went south, close in and 3 Roe Deer were north of Beach Car Park. On Tennyson Sands were 32 Avocet and 8 Black-tailed Godwit. There was little visible migration, but 6 Rook flew south and 2 Snow Bunting were on the beach.

March 9th. A breezy south westerly wind. A very sunny and warm day.
Around were a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Chiffchaff, a Merlin, 23 Avocet, a Brambling, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellowhammer, 28 Redwing and a Green Woodpecker. A Crossbill went south and a small number of Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit were seen going south early morning. 83 Gadwall were counted on the waterbodies. 38 Corn Bunting roosted near the Visitor Centre.

March 8th. A fairly strong southerly wind. Cloudy morning, sunny afternoon.
Going south were 300 Chaffinch, a Grey Wagtail, 26 Little Gull, 7 Red-throated Diver and 7 Red-breasted Merganser. A Tawny Owl and a Green Woodpecker were around the Plantation and 2 Grey Partridge were calling near the Wash Viewpoint at dusk. On Tennyson Sands were 26 Avocet. Also around were 3 Woodcock, 50 Fieldfare, a Yellowhammer and 40 Corn Bunting.
  A morning ring session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Jenni Godber resulted in just 7 new birds and 8 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch. The retraps were 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Greenfinch.

March 7th. A brisk westerly wind. Rain to start followed by sunshine.
 A Long-tailed Duck flew south at sea early on as did 17 Eider and 13 Red-breasted Merganser. 2 Peregrine were also seen. Jackson's Marsh and Tennyson Sands held 50 Gadwall, 4 Little Egret, 6 Little Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 24 Teal, 76 Wigeon, 42 Shoveler, 24 Mallard, 13 Shelduck, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 16 Tufted Duck, 39 Curlew, 7 Snipe, 16 Coot and 6 Moorhen.  Also around were 50+ Fieldfare and 3 Redwing.

March 6th. Fairly strong south westerly wind. Rain to start followed by cloud.
Recorded today were a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 11 Avocet, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Woodpecker, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 50+ Fieldfare, 3 Redwing and a Brambling.

March 5th. Increasing south westerly wind, mostly sunny.
  A 3 hour ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 13 new birds and 9 retraps. The new birds were 5 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit,  a Great Tit and a Long-tailed Tit. The retraps were 3 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Dunnock.

March 4th. Light southerly wind, sunny. 
Around the reserve this morning were a Barn Owl, a Tawny Owl, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 50 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker. Jackson's Marsh and Tennyson Sands held 6 Little Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 2 drake Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 160 Wigeon, 42 Gadwall, 59 Shoveler, 5 Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, and 5 Avocet.
An Oak Beauty moth was trapped overnight.

March 3rd. A light southerly wind, sunny. 
A sea-watch 0650 to 0750hrs was quiet with 35 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Wigeon and a Cormorant on the move with a Great Crested Grebe on the sea. 
Visible migration watch from Mill Hill from 0800 to 0940hrs produced 27 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Yellowhammer, a Corn Bunting and 8 Rook south, and a Merlin heading north. 2 BEARDED TIT flew high over the Mere and appeared to head north-west. A Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" in the West Dunes. Also around were 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Goldeneye, a drake Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a Siskin, a Tawny Owl, a Sparrowhawk, a Brambling and 100 Fieldfare. 2 Chinese Water Deer were seen together on the saltmarsh, viewed from the Wash Viewpoint early morning.
 A very productive 3 hour ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 26 new birds and 32 retraps. The new birds were 14 Greenfinch, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Robin. The retraps were 15 Greenfinch, 6 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch and singles of Goldfinch, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit and Coal Tit. Very spring-like conditions with birds singing everywhere and even a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on a tree trunk the majority of the time he was there.

March 2nd. Strong southerly wind, mostly cloudy.
Around were 28 Chaffinch, a Green Woodpecker, 600 Lapwing, a Merlin, 10 Corn Bunting, a Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk. On Jackson's Marsh was a pair of Goldeneye and on Tennyson's Sands was an Avocet.

March 1st. A light northerly wind, foggy start then sunny.
Around were a Barn Owl, a Brambling, 50 Corn Bunting, a Tawny Owl, 2 Goldeneye and 3 Merlin (2 north together). On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pink-footed Geese.
Estuary counts this evening resulted in 6000 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8000 Knot, 5000 Grey Plover, 1000 Dunlins, 400 Sanderling, 310 Oystercatcher, 8 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover and 14 Eider.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Georgie Scott resulted in a very productive 61 new birds and 45 retraps. The new birds were 41 Greenfinch, 8 Chaffinch, 5 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch and a Siskin. The retraps were 20 Blue Tit, 7 Greenfinch, 6 Great Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.