The first ringing session of the year at Aylmer Avenue, by Mike Polling and Jenni Godber, yielded 36 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 5 Great Tit, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin, a Brambling, 2 Dunnock and 6 Greenfinch; and 34 retraps: 9 Great Tit, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, 13 Blue Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit and a Coal Tit.
March 30th. The
Firecrest still remained at Syke's Farm. A
Red Kite flew south over Millennium Ridge, and a second bird (presumably different) came in from the north and flew off west. A Grey Wagtail flew south. A Water Pipit was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were
3 Firecrest (additional to the above), a Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 White Wagtail and a Short-eared Owl.
 |
White Wagtail, 30th March 2016
Photo - Nige Lound |
March 29th. The highlight of the day were
2 Common Crane that flew south over the reserve. Flying south over the West Dunes this morning were 65 Chaffinch, a Brambling, a Yellowhammer, 30 Goldfinch, a Crossbill and a Tree Sparrow. There were at least
4 Firecrest recorded on the reserve (1 Syke's Farm, 1 Aylmer and 2 East Dunes). Also, about were 15 Pink-footed Goose, 15 Avocet, an
Egyptian Goose, 2 Common Buzzard, 8 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Redwing, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier and 25 Corn Bunting.
 |
Common Crane south over the reserve
Photo - Ben Ward |
 |
Lesser Celendine, 29th March 2016
Photo - Richard Doan |
March 28th. The highlights from a very wet and windy day were 13 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Avocet, 14 Golden Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Snipe, a Water Pipit, 5 Redwing and a Swallow.
The Cowslips are now flowering on Jackson's Marsh.
March 27th. The first
Swallow and
Sand Martin recorded on the reserve today. Singles of Grey Wagtail, Lapland Bunting and Tree Sparrow flew south early morning. Other species of note included 12 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Avocet, 1000 Dunlin, a Rook, 17+ Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest,
4 Firecrest,
18 Siskin, a Brambling and 38 Corn Bunting.
A Bank Vole was discovered at Sykes Farm.
 |
Bank Vole, 27th March 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
March 26th. About were 15 Pink-footed Goose, a Grey Heron, 10 Avocet, 2 Fieldfare, a Chiffchaff and
2 Firecrest (1 at Syke's Farm & 1 in East Dunes).
 |
Firecrest at Syke's Farm, 26th March 2016
Photo - Alan Brewster |
March 25th. A new
Firecrest was discovered in the East Dunes. In the Plantation were 3 Siskin, 3 Brambling and a singing Chiffchaff. Other notable species include a Jack Snipe, 4 Woodcock,
8 Crossbill (Beach Car Park briefly) and 35 Corn Bunting. On the move were a Brambling, 2 Siskin and a Common Buzzard.
 |
Firecrest in the East Dunes, 25th March 2016
Photo - James Siddle |
 |
Siskin in the Plantation, 25th March 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
Brambling in the Plantation, 25th March 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
 |
Fox Moth caterpillar, 25th March 2016
Photo - Bryony Baxter |
|
March 24th. The
Firecrest was heard singing in the Beach Car Park. Around were
28 Woodcock, 10 Song Thrush, 51 Blackbird, 5000 Knot and 8 Snipe. A light finch passage was noted early morning.
March 23rd. On the reserve were 600 Brent Goose, 10 Avocet, 2 Common Buzzard, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 40 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, 2 House Sparrow and 2 Siskin. Flying south were 11 Rook, 6 Chaffinch and a Brambling. 2 Peregrine were observed doing regular food passes, a third bird was also noted. An
Egyptian Goose was vocal on the Fenland Lagoon early morning.
 |
Egyptian Goose on the Fenland Lagoon, 23rd March 2016
Photo - Kev Wilson |
March 22nd. Around were 1000 Brent Goose, 15 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Avocet, 2 Woodcock, 2 Collared Dove, 10 Goldcrest, a Song Thrush, 50 Redwing and 20 Corn Bunting.
March 21st. A
Red Kite was over the East Dunes early afternoon. A slight influx of Goldcrest and Woodcock was noted. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Avocet and 1000 Brent Goose. A Green Woodpecker was noted near North Building.
