Flying south over the sea were 4 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 8 Eider, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Red-throated Diver and a Fulmar. The Barnacle Goose and the two Tundra Bean Goose were with 895 Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh mid-day, where there were also a Pintail and 420 Lapwing. On Jackson's Marsh were 10 Pintail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 11 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail. Birds around included 604 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 53 Canada Goose, 10 Greylag Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 111 Shelduck, 43 Shoveler, 47 Gadwall, 301 Wigeon, 100 Mallard, 157 Teal, 53 Tufted Duck, 3 Eider, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Stock Dove, a Collared Dove, 18 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 89 Curlew, 2 Woodcock, a Red-throated Diver, 14 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, a Merlin, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 220 Starling, 22 Blackbird, 20 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 3 Mistle Thrush, 15 Robin, 2 Water Pipit, 35 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 15 Greenfinch and 12 Goldfinch.
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Lapwing, 29th February 2020.
Photo - Sarah Hunter
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Little Grebe, 29th February 2020.
Photo - Sarah Hunter
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Barnacle, Tundra Bean and Pink-footed Goose, 29th February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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A Black-throated Diver flew south offshore in the morning. On Jackson's Marsh were a Pintail, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 19 Snipe; and on Croftmarsh 2 Pintail, 57 Stock Dove and 3 Snipe. Birds around included 70 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Canada Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 22 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 232 Wigeon, 64 Mallard,153 Teal, 46 Tufted Duck, 15 Little Grebe, 160 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 17 Starling, 18 Blackbird, 12 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 11 Robin, a Pied Wagtail, 26 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 16 Greenfinch and 9 Goldfinch.
February 27th.
44 Water Pipit were counted into roost in the evening. On Jackson's Marsh were 11 Pintail, 4 Stock Dove, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Snipe. Birds around included 208 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 55 Canada Goose, 8 Greylag Goose, 900 Pink-footed Goose, 23 Shelduck, 51 Shoveler, 29 Gadwall, 209 Wigeon, 104 Mallard, 103 Teal, 32 Tufted Duck, 12 Little Grebe, 550 Lapwing, 24 Golden Plover, 72 Curlew, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a male Hen Harrier (over New Saltmarsh), a Buzzard, a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owl, a Kestrel, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 70 Starling, 22 Blackbird, 8 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 14 Robin, a Pied Wagtail, 25 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 12 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch, 35 Corn Bunting (pre roost gathering from Visitor Centre car park) and 6 Reed Bunting.
Ringing Control;
Sedge Warbler, ringed GPBO 25 July 2019, controlled Sandouville, Seine-Maritime, France 21 August 2019.
February 26th.
A coordinated effort in the early evening yielded a huge count of 47 Water Pipit into roost. The Barancle Goose and two Tundra Bean Goose were with 931 Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh in the afternoon, where there were also a Grey Heron and 3 Stonechat. On Jackson's Marsh were a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 186 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 11 Pintail, 6 Stock Dove, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Snipe and a Great Egret (then on Tennyson's Sands). Birds around included 200 further Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 23 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 74 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 210 Wigeon, 124 Mallard, 37 Tufted Duck, 11 Little Grebe, 2 Water Rail, 700 Lapwing, 42 Ringed Plover, 62 Curlew, 12 Turnstone, a Woodcock, a Snipe, 7 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier (over the New Saltmarsh), a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 25 Blackbird, 15 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 70 Starling, 19 Robin, a Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 7 Rock Pipit, 27 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 15 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch, 19 Corn Bunting (Visitor Centre car park) and 9 Reed Bunting. Heading south were 32 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and a Reed Bunting.
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Harbour Seal and Marsh Harrier, 26th February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Great Egret, 26th February 2020.
Video - Ben Ward
February 25th.
A Woodlark flew north up the West Dunes in the mid-afternoon and 38 Water Pipit were counted into roost on the Old Saltmarsh in the evening. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose, the Barnacle Goose and the 2 Tundra Bean Goose were amongst 1200 Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh in the afternoon. On Jackson's Marsh were 10 Pintail, a Goldeneye, a Great Crested Grebe, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Snipe. Heading south were an Eider, 10 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Stock Dove, a Collared Dove, a Mediterranean Gull, 11 Red-throated Diver, 21 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 15 Skylark, 176 Starling, a Merlin, 2 Linnet and 4 Goldfinch. Birds around included 270 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 26 Canada Goose, 15 Greylag Goose, 46 Shelduck, 4 Mute Swan, 34 Shoveler, 54 Gadwall. 111 Mallard, 159 Teal, 47 Tufted Duck, 5 Eider, 24 Stock Dove, a Collared Dove, 13 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 500 Lapwing, 114 Curlew, 171 Cormorant, 11 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, 6 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 500 Starling, 23 Blackbird, 13 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 18 Robin, 3 Stonechat (1 West Dunes and 2 Croftmarsh), a Pied Wagtail, 30 Chaffinch, a Brambling, a Bullfinch, 16 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch and 23 Corn Bunting (pre roost gathering from Visitor Centre car park).
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Barn Owl, 25th February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Stonechat, 25th February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Rainbow over Old Coastguard Station, 25th February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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An incredible 44 Water Pipit were counted into roost on the Saltmarsh in the early evening.
The Barnacle Goose and the 2 Tundra Bean were with 916 Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh in the late afternoon. On Jackson's Marsh were 10 Pintail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 10 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sand 14 Shelduck and a Kingfisher. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 49 Canada Goose, 13 Greylag, 4 Mute Swan, 39 Shoveler, 29 Gadwall, 346 Wigeon, 96 Mallard, 156 Teal, 34 Tufted Duck, 35 Stock Dove, 14 Little Grebe, 350 Lapwing, 71 Curlew, 11 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 90 Starling, 26 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 12 Robin, 32 Chaffinch, a Brambling, a Bullfinch, 16 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch and 2 Corn Bunting.
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| Busy Feeding Table! (Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Blackbird) 24th February 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Treecreeper, 24th February 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
Water Pipit, 24th February 2020.
Video - Ben Ward
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Water Pipit, 24th February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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February 23rd. Moderately strong-westerly wind.
A Waxwing was briefly along Gibraltar Road to the north of the reserve in the afternoon before flying south. The Barnacle Goose and the 2 Tundra Bean Goose were again with 1100 Pink-footed Goose commuting between Croftmarsh and adjacent farm fields, where there were also 24 Stock Dove, 850 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 2 Stonechat and 920 Starling. On Jackson's Marsh were 9 Pintail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe. Birds around included a Light-bellied Brent Goose, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 68 Canada Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 83 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 330 Wigeon, 102 Mallard, 193 Teal, 42 Tufted Duck, an Eider, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 16 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 53 Ringed Plover, 212 Curlew, 14 Turnstone, 550 Sanderling, 168 Redshank, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 22 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 14 Robin, 29 Chaffinch, a Brambling, a Bullfinch, 14 Greenfinch, a Lesser Redpoll, 12 Goldfinch and 32 Corn Bunting (pre roost gathering from Visitor Centre car park). |
| Lesser Redpoll, 23rd February 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Waxwing, 23rd February 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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Brambling, 23rd February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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The Barnacle Goose and the 2 Tundra Bean Goose were with 1100 Pink-footed Goose that commuted between Croftmarsh and adjacent farm fields. On Jackson's Marsh were 9 Pintail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Snipe. Birds around included 707 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 64 Canada Goose, 9 Greylag Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 69 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 305 Wigeon, 122 Mallard, 294 Teal, 35 Tufted Duck, 26 Eider, 15 Red-breasted Merganser, 41 Stock Dove, 19 Coot, 15 Little Grebe, 934 Lapwing, 125 Golden Plover, 12 Ringed Plover, 208 Curlew, 16 Turnstone, 128 Redshank, a Woodcock, 16 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 301 Starling, 26 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle Thrush, 17 Robin, 24 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 11 Greenfinch, 6 Linnet, 9 Goldfinch and a Corn Bunting. Flying south over the sea were a Greylag Goose, a Shelduck, 67 Eider, 2 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser and 8 Great Crested Grebe.
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Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 22nd February 2020.
Photo - Sarah Hunter
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Tundra Bean and Pink-footed Goose, 22nd February 2020.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Flying south over the sea were 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 29 Eider, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 1000 Herring Gull, a Guillemot, 3 Auk Sp and 30 Red-throated Diver; and north 11 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 3 Common Scoter. On Jackson's Marsh were 290 Wigeon, 10 Pintail, 32 Stock Dove, 2 Avocet, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Snipe. Birds around included 400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Canada Goose, a Barnacle Goose (with Pink-footed Goose), 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 27 Shelduck, 23 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 107 Mallard, 39 Tufted Duck, 4 Eider, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breated Merganser, 17 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 150 Lapwing, 71 Curlew, a Woodcock, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Grey Heron, 6 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 70 Starling, 29 Blackbird, 18 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 15 Robin, a Water Pipit (over the West Dunes), 26 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 10 Greenfinch and 12 Goldfinch.
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| Little Egret, with Stickleback, 21st February 2020. |
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| Roe Deer, buck, 21st February 2020. |
