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.
