Late March 2019

March 31st. A Great White Egret went north early morning. Birds around, including those trapped, were 72 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Woodcock, 2 Little Gull (offshore), 7 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Ring Ouzel, 8 Redwing, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Firecrest, a Grey Wagtail, a Crossbill, 2 Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer and 22 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Goosander and a Bearded Tit; and on Croftmarsh 4 Barnacle Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just 2 new birds: a Firecrest and a Blackbird.

Firecrest, 31st March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Firecrest, ringed 31st March, 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

 March 30th. Foggy start, gradually clearing.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Barnacle Goose, a Goosander, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Bearded Tit. Around, including birds trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Jack Snipe, 10 Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest, 3 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 6 Redwing, a Brambling, a Bullfinch, a Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer and 8 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 3 Red Kite, a Sand Martin and a Swallow (the first hirundines of the year).
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Robin, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit and a Linnet; and 3 retrap Great Tit.

Firecrest, 30th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Firecrest, 30th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Goosander, 30th March 2019.
Video - Ben Ward

Chiffchaff, 30th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

March 29th. A Serin flew south, then west, early morning. On Tennyson's Sands were a Pink-footed Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose, 2 Goosander, 100 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped. were 68 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 8 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, a Wheatear, a Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, a White Wagtail, a Yellowhammer and 39 Corn Bunting. Flying south first thing were a White Wagtail, 7 Brambling, 10 Chaffinch and 18 Goldfinch.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Chaffinch and 2 Redwing; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird, a Firecrest and a Chaffinch. The retrapped Firecrest was ringed on March 26th. It increased in weight from 4.7g to 5.1g.

Barnacle Geese, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Yellowhammer, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Firecrest, retrapped 29th March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Firecrest, retrapped 29th March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Rising Sun, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward

Black-headed Gull, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Black-headed Gull, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

March 28th. The Black Redstart remained around the Visitor Centre. Around, including birds trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, 44 Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 54 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Snipe, a Woodcock, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, 2 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (East Dunes), 8 Redwing, a Fieldfare, 2 Water Pipit, a Bullfinch, 6 Siskin, a Yellowhammer and 44 Corn Bunting. Going south were 7 Velvet Scoter, 25 Common Scoter, 3 White Wagtail and a Brambling; and west 5 Fieldfare and 7 Siskin. A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 14 new birds: 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Redwing and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit.

Hen Harrier, 28th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Black Redstart, 28th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Meadow Pipit, 28th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Blue Tit, 28th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Setting Sun, 28th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

March 27th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 62 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 4 Snipe, 3 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Hooded Crow (North End), 2 Treecreeper, a Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, a Black Redstart (around Visitor Centre Car Park), a Water Pipit (Tennyson's Sands), 4 Brambling, a Mealy Redpoll, a Siskin, a Crossbill and 12 Corn Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, a Linnet and 2 Blackbird; 7 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Wren, a Blackbird, a Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Goldcrest; and a control Chiffchaff.

Black Redstart, 27th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Sparrowhawk, 27th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Mealy Redpoll, 27th March 2019.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Ringing Control: Goldfinch ringed GPBO 7 October 2016, controlled Wezembeek, Belgium 7 February 2018 and 7 March 2018.

March 26th. Frosty start, gradually warming up.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Pink-footed Goose, 46 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Grey Heron, a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, a Little Ringed Plover (Jackson's Marsh), 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Woodcock, 3 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hooded Crow (Beach), 18 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 180 Starling, a Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer and 20 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 6 Velvet Scoter, a Buzzard and a Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, a Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Robin, a Wren, a Goldcrest and 2 Dunnock.

Firecrest, ringed 26th March 2019.

Photo - George Gregory

Little Ringed Plover, 26th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Reed and Corn Bunting, 26th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Solar Halo, early morning 26th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

March 25th. Increasing north-westerly, then northerly, wind.
 A Purple Sandpiper flew low north along the beach with Turnstone late morning. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Brent Goose, 2 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 2 Woodcock, 5 Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Hooded Crow, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 220 Starling, a Brambling, a Lesser Redpoll, 3 Yellowhammer and 4 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Great Crested Grebe, 41 Avocet and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. In from the south came 5 Mute Swan. To the north-west of the reserve were a further 4 Hooded Crow.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just a new Woodcock.

Woodcock, ringed 25th March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

March 24th. Two Bearded Tit were discovered in front of Harvey's Hide on Tennyson's Sands in the morning, then presumably the same birds commuted between there and the Mere. Around, including birds trapped, were 45 Brent Goose, 7 Goosander, a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Water Rail, 27 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, 119 Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 350 Starling, 84 Redwing, a Wheatear, a Water Pipit (Croftmarsh), a Brambling, a Bullfinch and 21 Corn Bunting. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk and 12 Buzzard; and west, the first Little Ringed Plover of the year.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 10 new birds: 6 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Robin, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and a retrap Dunnock.

Comma, 24th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

March 23rd. On an excellent day of raptor migration heading south were a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 13 Sparrowhawk, 43 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 10 Rook, 1660 Starling, 6 Alba Wagtail, 2 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting. In off the sea came a Kestrel. Birds around, including those trapped, were 82 Brent Goose, 56 Eider, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 31 Avocet, 1139 Oystercatcher, 4400 Grey Plover, 45 Ringed Plover, 72 Curlew, 280 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Turnstone, 26800 Knot, 425 Sanderling, 4750 Dunlin, 68 Redshank, 3 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, 59 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Hooded Crow, 14 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, 400 Starling, a Brambling, 4 Yellowhammer and 26 Corn Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: 5 Chiffchaff, a Wren and a Reed Bunting; and 8 retraps: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting, a Great Tit, a Long-tailed Tit and 2 Dunnock.

High tide near Bird Observatory, 23rd March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Chiffchaff with pollen horns, 23rd March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Colour Ring Sighting:
Cormorant ringed Yderste, Denmark 31 May 2000, colour ring sighted GPNNR 22 April 2002.

March 22nd. The wandering Pied Crow, seen briefly here last autumn, flew south through the reserve mid-morning. Around, including birds trapped, were 55 Brent Goose, a Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 56 Avocet, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a Hooded Crow, 2 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 600 Starling, 41 Redwing, 2 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, a Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, 8 Siskin and 24 Corn Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: 7 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Robin, 3 Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, a Blackbird, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

March 21st. In East Dunes was a Long-eared Owl. Birds around, including those trapped, were 35 Brent Goose, 236 Eider, a Grey Heron, a Great Crested Grebe, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 650 Oystercatcher, 28 Golden Plover, 4869 Grey Plover, 96 Curlew, 589 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Turnstone, 550 Sanderling, 5850 Dunlin, 28844 Knot, 3 Woodcock, a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine, a Hooded Crow, a Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 900 Starling, 5 Wheatear, 2 Brambling, 4 Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer and 16 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 2 Sparrowhawk, 10 Buzzard, a Woodlark, 932 Starling and a Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 15 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Robin, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 3 Dunnock.

Long-eared Owl, 21st March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Short-eared Owl, 21st March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Buzzard, 21st March 2019.
Photo - Jack Wilson

Wheatear, 21st March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward.