20th March. A morning of continuous light rain or drizzle with a light south-westerly wind. rain clearing in the afternoon but remaining overcast.
Several Chiffchaffs were vocal despite poor conditions. A Long-eared Owl was in scrub along North Building Ridge and at least 2 Water Pipits around the Freshwater Marsh. Another big day for Starlings saw over 300 out east and 4000 move south. In the evening small parties of Curlew and Oystercatcher were seen heading out north-east over the sea. The Gull roost saw increased numbers of Lesser Black- backed Gulls (33) in amongst 3000 Herring Gulls. A Barn Owl was hunting the Old Saltmarsh and a male Hen Harrier went to roost.
19th March. Dry after overnight rain with cool westerly breeze in the morning, with a warm and sunny afternoon.
Another very good morning for 'vis mig' and whilst Chaffinch were in much smaller numbers today, Woodpigeons and Starlings were much increased. Over 2980 Starlings flew south whilst a further 6500 left high to the east and out to sea in large flocks. At the end of the day over 10,000 went to roost - the first sizeable roost of the spring - hopefully there will be a repeat of the astonishing numbers roosting in late March last year. The first 2 Sand Martin of the year passed through early morning, followed by a spate of raptor passage; 2 Red Kites, 22 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Short-eared owl and a Peregrine, but the highlight of the day was a brief Alpine Swift, initially seen over the Old Saltmarsh and then later heading north over Seacroft Lagoon in the early evening. A Spotted Redshank was also new in at dusk.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
18th March. Overcast conditions with a light south-westerly breeze.
Following yesterdays migration, Chaffinches were on the move in much greater numbers from first thing this morning (total 984 south), again with plenty of Pipits, Finches, Corvids, Redwings and alba Wagtails including the first 2 White Wagtails of the year.
17th March. A mild morning with a south-westerly breeze, fairly overcast but dry with sunny spells.
The first Wheatear of the year was around the Visitor Centre, the first Firecrest of the year was at Sykes Farm and 3 Chiffchaffs in the East Dunes were also new arrivals. Visible migration was underway, involving Finches, Corvids, Pipits and alba wagtails and it was a good morning for counting common birds with encouraging numbers of Wren and Dunnock on territory in the dunes. A thin scattering of migrant Thrushes and Robins was also noted.
16th March. A fairly quiet day. The 4 Stonechats were still present around the Visitor Centre. There were 11 Redwings in the West Dunes and a Chiffchaff at Sykes Farm.
15th March. Cold and foggy early on becoming brighter.
4 Stonechats near the Visitor Centre Car Park was a good sign of new spring arrivals. Also new in was a Bearded Tit on Tennyson's Sands and a Brambling in the Plantation. Starling numbers were building up with 1500 on Croftmarsh.
.JPG)
14th March. Overnight rain persisting until early morning then brightening up considerably. Wind much reduced from yesterday.
At sea, 3 Gannet and 9 Pintail went north. .Another 2 Pintail were on Tennyson's Sands with 5 Avocet, but otherwise, little change in waterbird numbers. 7 Water Pipit were with Meadow Pipits on the Freshwater Marsh late afternoon. Good views possible with a cautious approach along Mill Pond Road.
13th March. A gusting south-westerly wind increased to a gale by late afternoon with a few showers during the day.
A light visible migration detectable in the first two hours of the day involving a few Chaffinch, Linnet, Greenfinch, Siskin, Pipits, Starlings and 2 alba wagtails. A Peregrine was hunting over Croftmarsh and north of the Reserve, 12 Snow Buntings were on the beach at Seacroft
Wigeon. Photos - Tom Baker 
12th March. Unsettled conditions clearing quickly early morning resulting in a dry and overcast morning, fairly calm with general good visibility.
An excellent couple of hours this morning, commencing with a male Merlin on the beach and a ringtail Hen harrier over the saltmarsh. Then a Woodlark circled the East Dunes before landing north of Mill Hill. after 30 minutes the Woodlark flew off south calling and at that moment, two Common Cranes became audible to the north. The Cranes (having been reported earlier over the A52) circled over the beach and Reserve for a while before heading off towards the Wash. A quiet evening for pipits, just two Water Pipits around and the male Hen Harrier was over the Freshwater Marsh
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
11th March. Much improved weather.
An increase in Meadow Pipits was noted in the afternoon, with 21 along Mill Pond Road with at least one Water Pipit still around and a further 40 unidentified pipits went to roost in the the New Saltmarsh. A Chiffchaff was in the Plantation. Late afternoon birds of prey included single Short-eared Owl, two Hen Harriers and two Marsh Harriers.
