9th March. A very bright sunny day, but with a continued cool wind keeping the temperature down. A Chiffchaff was at Sykes farm - the first singing bird of the year. Visible migration involved increased numbers of Jackdaw, Rook, Chaffinch, Siskin, Meadow Pipit and Rock Pipit with the highlights being 2 Brambling and 2 Red Kite. A small influx of Snipe saw 15 on the saltmarsh, flushed by a male Marsh Harrier and there was a single Jack Snipe. 8 Crossbill were in the North Car Park pines
8th March. Another cold morning but bright. Two Great White Egret were around the lagoons but went south independently. Two Cetti's Warbler were in song, a Water Rail was showing well from Hope Hide, with another on the Mere and 15 Corn Bunting and 4 Water Pipit were around the Old Saltmarsh late afternoon.
7th March. A cold morning with a biting NNE wind, but bright and sunny. Starlings were moving south again, with 1300 prior to 0830 and a few Rook, Jackdaw and Chaffinch. The regular male Hen Harrier performed well over the Old saltmarsh.
6th March. A productive morning seawatch in clear conditions with a moderate NNE breeze. Highlights were single Great Northern Diver and Black-throated Diver, 123 red-throated Diver and 112 Common Scoter. A party of 7 Whooper Swan flew north and 3500 Starling flew east in two massive groups and were lost to view out at sea. 2 Stonechat remained around the Visitor Centre.
Robin 6th March. Photo: Tom Baker
5th March. A full day of drizzle or rain and light to moderate Northerly wind. Visibility was mostly poor again at sea but there were increased numbers of waders at the north roost.
4th March. Light rain and very poor visibility early on, with heaver rain later. Coverage was limited to counting the waders at the north roost in the grim conditions. Here, there were 2350 Dunlin, 650 Sanderling and 800 Grey Plover. It was not possible to check the south roost where there are usually more waders on a 6.7m tide.
3rd March. A good number of birds in song this morning; Skylark, Chaffinch, Great Tit and Wren, with an encouraging number of Dunnock and Reed Bunting. Coal Tit and Goldcrest look set to hold territory again this spring - usually only one pair of each here. 482 Brent Goose remained on the Reserve (with only 11 juveniles in the flock, reflecting last seasons low breeding success) while the spring movement of Pink-footed Goose was underway, with 85 moving NW. A few finches were moving south with 320 Starling. Also of note, 2 Stonechat, 2 Woodcock, Water Pipit and Bulfinch. Great to see Tom Baker return to the area with his new lens!
2nd March. A dull day all round with intermittent drizzle and light rain. 5 Water Pipit flew onto the Freshwater Marsh in the morning. The evening tide was an ideal height and time for a wader roost count but unfortunately, weather conditions were far from ideal ! Highlights were 2000 Knot, 1300 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2500 Oystercatcher, 796 Sanderling, 2430 Grey Plover and 4830 Dunlin.
1st March. A cloudy start, becoming brighter with a NNE wind. Small numbers of Finches, Starlings and Corvids were moving south, west and north. A typical selection of birds at sea. 2 Water Pipits were around the Freshwater Marsh in the morning with 15 Pipit sp going to roost on the Old Saltmarsh later
