20th March. A cold easterly breeze during the morning limited visible migration potential to a few Siskin and Rook, but a Jay moved south down the west Dunes. A Firecrest was along the road edge north of Aylmer - presumably the bird from 17th/18th. A Water Pipit was around the Freshwater marsh. 4 Bearded Tit were seen well on Tennyson's Sands in the calm conditions of the afternoon after which another massive Starling roost was witnessed involving c210,000 birds.
19th March. Two Firecrest today, with one remaining in the east Dunes and one south of Aylmer. 3 Bearded Tit flew south-east over the west Dunes. The Spring Starling invasion continued with massively increasing numbers culminating in an evening roost of maybe even 250,000 birds !
18th March. Four Firecrest this morning including yesterdays two on the East Dunes and one along the road edge and a new bird near Shoveler's Pool and another influx of Woodcock (14) apparent on the east side of the Reserve. 12 Whooper Swan flew north ad a Green Woodpecker was a first for the year. Also 2 Merlin, a Short-eared Owl and a Hen Harrier were around. The evening wader roost involved 29,000 Knot, 5000 Dunlin, 500 sanderling and 5,800 Grey Plover. A Spotted Redshank was another first of the year as was an unseasonal Little Stint. The day ended with a roost of 70,000 Starling.
17th March. Three Firecrest this morning: one along the road edge scrub north of Aylmer Ave and now two in the East Dunes. The strong arrival of Chiffchaff continues with 32 just on the west side of the Reserve. A Black Redstart on the Old Coastguard Station was the first of the spring and a Woodlark was over the north end. Another spate of raptor passage involved 11 Red Kite, 23 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 3 Sparrowhawk moving south. Around were 3 Buzzard, a Peregrine and a Merlin. 2 Pipistrelle type bats were seen in the evening.
15th March. Much more routine today after a frosty and foggy start. Starlings were heading out over the sea in groups and 4 Brambling and 3 Crossbill were highlights of a light Finch movement. A Little Ringed Plover was on the lagoons and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose was with the Brent flock. Also on the marsh, a Great White Egret. Birds of prey were represented by hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, 2 Merlin and 2 Peregrine. Birds around included water Pipit, Blackcap, 5 Brambling and 35 Fieldfare and at6 the tend of the day, 24,000 Starlings went to roost on the Mere.
14th March. Another interesting morning for vis mig in sunny and calm conditions, with a light SW breeze. Highlights were 11 Crossbill, 2 White Wagtail and 197 Redwing south. But the main features of the day were; an influx of 71 Woodcock, an arrival of Chiffchaff (25) and a southerly movement of Raptors, commencing as the wind increased during the late morning and into the early afternoon. 17 Red Kite and 44 Common Buzzard passed through during this period. Migrant Robins and Blackbirds were evident in the dunes with Blackbirds departing to the east at dusk, when a Little Ringed Plover also passed overhead.
13th March. A big morning for southerly Chaffinch movement with 827 south in two hours. Also 107 Siskin, 1100 Starling, 162 Jackdaw, 26 Rook, 113 Redwing, 6 'alba' Wagtail and various other Finches and Pipits. The highlights were 5 Crossbill and a White wagtail south. Another 2 Crossbill were in the North Car Park pines and a Firecrest in the East Dunes was the first of the spring. No sea-watching today due to the intensity of vis mig.
12th March. Windy again with a SSE breeze but mostly dry. Finches, Starlings and Corvids moving south in much lower numbers than recent days except for Siskin with at least 60 south. Single Grey Wagtail and Red Kite also headed south. 8 Crossbill were again in the North Car Park pines. Water Rail and Kingfisher were on the Mere and 3 singing Cetti's Warbler around.
Crossbills 12th March. Photos: Nige Lound.
11th March. A bright, sunny day with a SSE breeze. Vis mig involved slightly lower numbers of Chaffinch and Siskin and there were new thrushes in. A flock of 65 Redwing and a Fieldfare left the Plantation to the south and another 2 Fieldfare were on Jackson's marsh. A party of 17 Whooper Swan flew north up the coast and a Red Kite went south.
Fieldfare 11th March. Photo: Kev Wilson
Redwing 11th March. Photo: Kev Wilson
Zebra Spider Salticus sp 11th March. Photo: Kev Wilson
Brent Geese 11th March. Photos: Tom Baker
Black-headed Gulls 11th March. Photo Tom Baker
