April 10th. On The Wash were 37 Brent Goose, 6 Avocet, 1795 Oystercatcher, 3200 Grey Plover, 51 Ringed Plover, 46 Curlew, 300 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Turnstone, 6700 Knot and 493 Redshank. A Firecrest was seen along the Syke's Farm track. Around were 2 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 3 Brambling and a Siskin. 2 Ring Ouzel reported in the East Dunes.
April 9th. On the reserve were 15 Pink-footed Goose, 35 Brent Goose, a Merlin, 150 Ringed Plover, 1500 Dunlin, 400 Redshank, 3500 Knot, a Sand Martin, 3 Swallow and 4 Brambling. A Red Kite flew south through the reserve at 1350hrs.
April 8th. At the feeding station were 4 Brambling and 10 Siskin. A Hooded Crow was seen in the West Dunes on the Lonesome Pine. The 15 Pink-footed Goose remained on Croft Marsh. A single Chiffchaff and Short-eared Owl were also of note.
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| Chiffchaff, 8th April 2016 Photo - Paul Johnson |
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| Short-eared Owl, 8th April 2016 Photo - Paul Johnson |
The Wood Forget-me-nots are now flowering in the Plantation.
A Grey Seal pup was found on the beach in the afternoon, the pup had sustained an eye injury and was under weight. It was later recovered by Natureland and taken away for treatment.
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| Grey Seal pup on the beach, 7th April 2016 Photo - Bryony Baxter |
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| Wood Forget-me-not, 7th April 2016 Photo - Bryony Baxter |
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| Woodcock on the verge by Mill Hill, 6th April 2016 Photo - Bryony Baxter |
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| Blackcap, 6th April 2016 Photo - Kev Wilson |
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Jenni Godber resulted in 12 new bird: 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch and 3 Greenfinch; and 11 retraps: 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch and 4 Great Tit.
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| Male Wheatear, 5th April 2016 Photo - Nige Lound |
On the reserve were 5 Corn Bunting, a male Hen Harrier, 10 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 2 Brambling and 2 Siskin. A Firecrest was again seen by the Yacht Club. A small arrival of thrushes was evident mid-morning with 84 Redwing and 12 Fieldfare new-in at the Plantation. Flying south were 3 Swallow, a Brambling, 8 Linnet and 18 Chaffinch. A single Black-tailed Godwit was on Jackson's Marsh. The 15 Pink-footed Goose remained on Croftmarsh.
April 3rd. An excellent day with plenty to see.
Around were 2 Wheatear, a Black Redstart, a Willow Warbler, a Red Kite, 4 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin, 2 Blackcap and 7 Avocet. A Woodlark was singing near RAF Ridge. Singles of Grey Wagtail and Swallow south, meanwhile a Hawfinch flew north-east calling.
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| Bombus lapidarius (Red-tailed Bumblebee), 3rd April 2016 Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Red Kite high over Croftmarsh, 3rd April 2016 Photo - Richard Doan |
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| 1 of 4 Brambling at the feeding station, 3rd April 2016 Photo - Richard Doan |
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| Brambling at Sykes Farm feeding station, 2nd April 2016 Photo - Richard Doan |
Around were 30 Corn Bunting, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff and 238 Redshank. The first Sandwich Tern of the year noted offshore this morning.
