Late April 2020

April 30th. A second-summer Montagu's Harrier was discovered south-west of the reserve. Around were a Cuckoo, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 60 Jay, a Firecrest, a Black Redstart, a Redstart, 4 Wheatear, a Tree Pipit and a Brambling.

Montagu's Harrier, 30th April 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

April 29th. A mobile Serin frequented the west side of the reserve during the day. A Dotterel flew south over Sykes Farm late evening. Birds around included an Eider, 4 Cuckoo, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Great White Egret, a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, a Redwing, a Black Redstart, a Wheatear and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

April 28th. Around were a Black Redstart and a Wheatear.

April 27th. A Red-rumped Swallow was discovered over Croftmarsh mid morning. Heading south were a Swift, 2 Red Kite, 4 Buzzard, 19 Swallow, 11 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Alba Wagtail; and north 2 Whimbrel, a Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank, 120 Sandwich Tern and 6 Arctic Tern. Birds around included 4 Cuckoo, 2 Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Great White Egret, 60 Jay, a Garden Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Redwing, a Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, a female Blue-headed Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtail and a Brambling.

Whinchat, 27th April 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Female Blue-headed Wagtail, 27th April 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Brambling, 27th April 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

April 26th. Going south were 2 Swift, a Greenshank, 5 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, a Hobby, a Woodlark, 5 Sand Martin, 37 Swallow, a House Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 7 Linnet and 25 Goldfinch. Around were 5 Cuckoo, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Spoonbill, a Short-eared Owl, a Firecrest, 3 Redwing, 4 Wheatear and 2 Branbling.

April 25th. A Wood Warbler was in West Dunes Sycamore Plot. A Woodlark flew south in the morning. Birds around included a Cuckoo, a Whimbrel, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Spoonbill, a male Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Jay, a Garden Warbler, 3 Tree Pipit, a Brambling and a Siskin.

Tree Pipit, 25th April 2020. 

Photo - Sarah Hunter

Wood Warbler, 25th April 2020.

Photo - Sarah Hunter 

Brambling, 25h April 2020.

Photo - Sarah Hunter

Oystercatcher roost, 25 April 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

April 24th. Around were a Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, a Grenshank, 90 Jay, 2 Cetti's Warbler, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Common Tern, a Little Gull, 3 Redwing, a Wheatear and a Brambling.

Whitethroat, 24th April 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

Jays over, 24th April 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

April 23rd. Birds around included 3 Cuckoo, 60 Jay, 6 Snipe, a Peregrine, a Cetti;s Warbler, a Wheatear and a Tree Pipit.

Curlew, 23rd April 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

April 22nd. Around were 2 Cuckoo, a Common Sandpiper, a Jack Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 60 Jay, 2 Cetti's Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler.

Ground Ivy, 22nd April 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

April 21st. Strong north-easterly wind.
 Birds around included 70 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Cuckoo, a Whimbrel, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, a Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 2 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail.