Late March 2016

March 31st. A Firecrest was in the East Dunes. Other birds of note were 4 Redwing, a Fieldfare and 35 Corn Bunting.
 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. 

Mid March 2016

March 20th. The Firecrest was relocated at the Beach Car Park early morning. Other birds around were 15 Pink-footed Goose, 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 90 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, a Common Buzzard, 10 Avocet, a Water Pipit, a Chiffchaff, 2 Siskin and 8 Corn Bunting.

March 19th. A Woodlark flew south in the morning. Other notables species were the first singing Chiffchaff of the year, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Goldcrest and a flock of 18 Stock Dove.  

March 18th. The first Firecrest of the year was discovered around Mill Pond. About were 35 Redwing, a Lapland Bunting and a Red Kite.  

March 17th. Around were 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Siskin and a House Sparrow. In the evening 2 adult summer Mediterranean Gull flew over calling.

March 16th. A Red Kite came in off the sea then flew south. Around were 4 Woodcock, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Avocet and 2 Snipe.
 The Sweet Violets are now flowering along the Cycle Track.

Avocet on Tennyson's Sands
Photo - Richard Doan
March 15th. Offshore were 25 Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver in partial summer plumage, 12 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. Around the reserve were 800 Brent Goose, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 43 Teal, 2 drake Goosander (briefly on Jackson's Marsh), a Merlin, 17 Avocet, 64 Ringed Plover, a Lapwing, 500 Oystercatcher, 85 Blackbird, 73 Redwing, 6 Siskin, 3 Corn Bunting.      

Common Seals from The Wash Viewpoint at high tide
Photo - Philip Milns
Corn Bunting
Photo - Philip Miln
s
Siskin in the Plantation
Photo - Philip Milns
March 14th. Around were 32 Ringed Plover, 60 Skylark, 2 Rook, 3000 Starling and 2 Woodcock.

March 13th. A Blackcap gave a few bursts of song in the Plantation. Other birds around included a Hen Harrier, a Green Sandpiper, a House Sparrow, 4 Woodcock, 3 Fieldfare, 120 Redwing, a Coal Tit and a Song Thrush. Flying south were 2 Rook and 9 Siskin.

Hen Harrier, 13th March 2016.
Photo - Chris Cullen
Hen Harrier, 13th March 2016.
Photo - Chris Cullen
House Sparrow singing at Sykes Farm
Photo - Richard Doan

March 12th. The early morning high tide produced 15000 Knot and 3000 Bar-tailed Godwit. About were a Merlin, a Peregrine, 34 Corn Bunting and 4 Avocet.

March 11th. Around were 10 Whooper Swan, 60 Corn Bunting and 2 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Avocet, 12 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Wigeon and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Whooper Swans on The Wash, 11th March 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth 

Early March 2016

March 10th. Offshore this morning were 9 Pintail, 12 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 5 Eider and 67 Common Scoter. Around were 63 Shelduck, a Grey Heron, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine, a Merlin, 5000 Oystercatcher, 16 Ringed Plover, 15000 Knot, 3500 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Grey Wagtail, 60 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest and 60 Corn Bunting.

The Freshwater Marsh following yesterday's prolonged rain
Photo - Richard Doan
The Freshwater Marsh following yesterday's prolonged rain
Photo - Richard Doan

Short-eared Owl
Photo - Richard Doan
March 9th. About were 8 Pink-footed Goose and a Merlin. The evening wader roost was quite spectacular with 7500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4150 Dunlin, 1000 Sanderling, 3110 Grey Plover, 7760 Knot and 5000 Oystercatcher. An adult summer Mediterranean Gull was on The Wash at dusk.

March 8th. Around were 60 Redwing, a Woodcock, 9 Pink-footed Goose and a Water Pipit.

March 7th. Croftmarsh held 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 82 Wigeon and a Water Pipit. About were 10 Corn Bunting, a Merlin and a Common Buzzard. A Grey Wagtail flew south. On The Wash this evening were 5500 Herring Gull, 4500 Black-headed Gull and 1000 Common Gull.

March 6th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Avocet, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 1200 Brent Goose including 2 Pale-bellied Brent. In the Plantation were 2 Siskin and 60 Redwing. A Hen Harrier flew south. At least 70 Corn Bunting were in the West Dunes at dusk. Offshore were 80 Common Scoter and a drake Red-breasted Merganser.

March 5th. Cloudy with heavy rain showers clearing by mid-afternoon.
 About were a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 600 Brent Goose, 6 Pink-footed Goose, a Water Pipit and 50 Redwing.

March 4th. Around were 5 Siskin, 3 Rook and a Goldcrest.

March 3rd. Clear sky with a cold south wind.
 Around the reserve were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard 2, a Yellowhammer, 2 Pintail, 60 Redwing, 4 Redpoll spp, 5 Corn Bunting and 4 Coal Tit. Scrutiny of the Brent Goose flock revealed 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

March 2nd. Heavy rain showers throughout the day.
 The highlight of the day was a Red Kite which flew south through the reserve. In the Plantation were 2 Siskin, 2 Tree Sparrow and 50 Redwing.

March 1st. Sunny with a cold southerly wind.
 Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 5 Corn Bunting, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Water Pipit and 50 Redwing.