Late March 2017

March 31st. Around were 30 Corn Bunting, a Red Kite, 2 Blackcaps and the first Yellow Wagtail of the year. A Black Redstart was discovered by the Visitor Centre mid afternoon.
Late news received of 4 Wheatear around the reserve.
Brimstone, 31st March 2017
Photo- Stuart Ainsworth 
Migrating Rook, 31st March 2017
Photo- Stuart Ainsworth


Black Redstart by Visitor Centre, 31st March 2017
Photo- Stuart Ainsworth
March 30th. The morning high tide wader roost was spectacular with 6620 Grey Plover, 3230 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10340 Knot, 1800 Dunlin, 8 Turnstone and 150 Redshank. A Firecrest was singing in the pines by the bird feeding station at dawn. Around were 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Brambling, 86 Brent Goose and 3 Stock Dove.
Firecrest along Sykes Farm track, 31st March 2017
Photo - Adrian Royle
March 29th. An OSPREY was observed over Croft Marsh briefly before flying off north-west. On Jackson's Marsh was a first-summer Mediterranean Gull and over Croft Marsh was a Red Kite (presume same bird as yesterday). Around were 40 Corn Bunting, 4 Redwing, a Fieldfare, a Common Buzzard, 2 Brambling and a Yellowhammer. On the move were 92 Chaffinch, 28 Siskin, 30 Carrion Crow, 6 Rook, 2 Barnacle Goose, a Collared Dove and a Crossbill. The first Swallow of the year was over Sykes Farm in the afternoon. A Firecrest was found in the Plantation mid-afternoon.
Brambling at the feeding station, 29th March 2017
Photo - Adrian Royle
March 28th. The highlights of the day were a Red Kite over the East Dunes, a Ring Ouzel on the cycle track and the first 5 Sand Martin of the year over Jackson's Marsh. In the Plantation were 3 Siskin, a Lesser Redpoll and a Brambling. A House Sparrow was also seen at Aylmer with nesting material.
 A Red Chestnut and Dotted Chestnut were in the moth trap.
House Sparrow with nesting material, 28th March 2017
Photo - Kevin Wilson
Dotted Chestnut, 28th March 2017
Photo - John Shaughnessy
Red Chestnut, 28th March 2017
Photo - John Shaughnessy
March 27th. Around were 65 Corn Bunting, 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3000 Grey Plover, 10000 Knot, a male Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl.

March 26th. A Bearded Tit was heard calling on Tennyson's Sands at dawn. Around were 49 Brent Goose, 3 Pintail, 3 Goldeneye, a Common Buzzard, 42 Avocet, 350 Oystercatcher, 4000 Knot, 400 Dunlin, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Rook, 4 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, a Yellowhammer and 37 Corn Bunting.
 A Comma was seen in the East Dunes.
Comma in the East Dunes, 26th March 2017
Photo - Rob Watson
March 25th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Bearded Tit, a Cetti's Warbler (rare here!) and 50 Avocet. Other birds around were 30 Brent Goose, a Green Woodpecker, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Siskin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Tree Sparrow, 40 Corn Bunting and 2 Common Buzzard.
 The first Brimstone butterfly of the year was on the wing this afternoon.
Tree Sparrow, 25th March 2017
Photo - Kevin Wilson
March 24th. The 2 Bearded Tit were still present on Tennyson's Sands. Around were 19 Goldcrest, 12 Chiffchaff, 20 Wigeon, a Red-legged Partridge, 2 House Sparrow and 3 Yellowhammer.
Yellowhammer, 24th March 2017
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Black-headed Gull displaying on Tennyson's Sands, 24th March 2017

Mistle Thrush, 24th March 2017 

Mute Swan taking flight, 24th March 2017
March 23rd. An early Ring Ouzel on the Fresh Water Marsh was the most surprising record of the day. On Tennyson's Sands were 55 Avocet, 2 Bearded Tit and a Marsh Harrier.

Bearded Tits on Tennyson's Sands, 23rd March 2017
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth 

Male Ring Ouzel on Freshwater Marsh, 23rd March 2017
Photo - Nige Lound
March 22nd. The highlights of the day were a Bearded Tit on Tennyson's Sands, a Firecrest in the East Dunes and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull on the beach.

March 21st. A GREAT GREY SHRIKE was seen by the Wash Viewpoint late afternoon. Around were 47 Avocet, an early Sandwich Tern, a Rook, 30 Corn Bunting, a Yellowhammer and 40 Redwing. On the move were 17 Fieldfare, 260 Starling and 66 Chaffinch.
 An Early Thorn and Twin-spotted Quaker were trapped overnight.
Early Thorn trapped overnight, 21st March 2017
Photo - John Shaughnessy
Twin-spotted Quaker trapped overnight, 21st March 2017
Photo - John Shaughnessy