Mid March 2018

March 20th. The Raven put in another appearance today over Jackson's Marsh. The first Grey Wagtail of the year flew south over Mill Hill mid-morning.

March 19th. Early morning seawatch produced 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 16 Kittiwake and 4 Guillemot. A Black Redstart was still present at the Visitor Centre. A Caspian Gull was found on Tennyson's Sands mid-afternoon. On Jackson's Marsh were 300 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Around were 4000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10000 Knot, 4000 Herring Gull, 800 Common Gull, 1500 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Buzzard, a Brambling and a Siskin.

Caspian Gull, Tennyson Sands, 19th March 2018

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Colour Ringed Caspian Gull (RED 834P), 19th March 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Black Redstart at the Visitor Centre, 19th March 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Song Thrush anvil, 19th March 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

March 18th. A Black Redstart was present at the Visitor Centre in the afternoon. A Brambling was at the feeding station in the Plantation. Offshore were 4 Little Gull, a Puffin, 15 Kittiwake, a Goldeneye, 9 Eider, a Gannet and 4 Auk sp.

Polish Colour ringed Mediterranean Gull (RED PUK9) on Tennyson Sands, 18th March 2018

Video - Ben Ward

Stonechat, 18th March 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Brambling at the feeding station, 18th March 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

 March 17th. A Raven was seen/heard briefly over the Plantation. On the move offshore were 13 Kittiwake, 4 Auk sp, 2 Eider and an Iceland Gull. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Avocet and a Knot.

March 16th. The main highlight of the day was the discovery of 2 Raven around North Car Park. A Firecrest was found along the north section of the Tennyson's Sands cycletrack. There were 2 Black Redstart showing well by the Visitor Centre.

Black Redstarts at the Visitor Centre, 16th March 2018.
Photo - Richard Tomlinson

Black Redstart at the Visitor Centre, 16th March 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

March 15th. A Black Redstart was discovered by the Visitor Centre.

Avocet on Tennyson's Sands, 15th March 2018.
Photo - Jack Wilson

March 14th. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail, a Great Crested Grebe (unusual away from the sea) and a flyover Water Pipit. Tennyson's Sands held 3 Pintail, 21 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe. Heading south over the West Dunes were 680 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling and a Woodlark.

March 13th. Adult male Hen Harrier seen from the Wash Viewpoint at 1605hrs. A group of 4 Corn Bunting near the Visitor Centre car park.

March 12th. A new record count of 119 Woodcock was made around the reserve today. 11 Corn Bunting heard singing in the West Dunes. On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Avocet, 450 Wigeon and 500 Lapwing.

March 11th. Around were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, 35 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, 155 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare, a Brambling and 14 Corn Bunting. On the water-bodies were 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 550 Lapwing, 400 Golden Plover, 15 Avocet (first of the year) and 2 Goldeneye.

Wren nest, 11th March 2018.
Photo - Rob Watson

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 11th March 2018.
Photo - Rob Watson

Roe Deer, 11th March 2018.
Photo - Rob Watson

Woodcock remains found in the dunes, 11th March 2018.
Photo - Rob Watson