Early April 2024

April 5th. Clear, with quite fresh north-easterly wind.

 A Firecrest was new in, singing and showing well along Sykes Farm Track. There were two Bramblings in the Sycamores in the West Dunes, whilst a Sand Martin went north over Tennyson's Sands. A Willow Warbler was the first of the year singing along Mill Pond Road where two Swallows were hawking. A Ruff was on Jackson's Marsh.

April 4th. Clear, with quite fresh north-easterly wind.

 On the water bodies were 61 Tufted Duck, 46 Teal, 39 Shoveler, 38 Shelduck, 22 Little Grebe, 9 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 2 Water Rails, 33 Avocets, 8 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret. Late in the afternoon a Little Ringed Plover was on Moat Scrape and was joined by presumably yesterday's Spoonbill a short time later. A Marsh Harrier hunted across Tennyson's Sands as 39 Brent Geese arrived. A Short-eared Owl was over the south end of the Golf Course as was a Barn Owl. A Green Woodpecker was about as were 2 Red-legged Partridges, 12 Chiffchaffs, a Brambling, a Redwing, a Yellowhammer, a Swallow, and a Sand Martin. Also 3 Blackcaps were new in.

 A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber produced 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Chaffinch.

Buck and Doe Roe Deer along the cycle track, 4th April 2025
Photo - Michael Briggs

Roe Deer on Jackson's Meadow, 4th April 2025
Photo - Michael Briggs

April 3rd. Clear, with moderate easterly wind.

 A Spoonbill was a pleasant surprise on Tennyson's Sands early morning, whilst on the water bodies totals were 78 Tufted Duck, 55 Teal, 47 Mallard, 46 Shoveler, 38 Shelduck, 26 Wigeon, 18 Little Grebe, 6 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 31 Avocet, 4 Redshank, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Water Rail. A Great White Egret was on Croftmarsh as was a male Marsh Harrier. Around the reserve were 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Chiffchaffs, a Yellowhammer and a Barn Owl.

The first Spoonbill of the year, 3rd April 2025
Photo - Nigel Lound 

Male Yellowhammer, 3rd April 2025
Photo - Nigel Lound

April 2nd. Clear, with moderately strong easterly wind.

  A Woodlark was flushed from West Dunes during the late afternoon and flew south, possibly landing near South Carpark. A Yellowhammer singing was also noteworthy in the West Dunes. The water bodies around the reserve held 60 Tufted Duck, 50 Teal, 37 Shoveler, 36 Shelduck, 16 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Pintail and 20 Avocet.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2nd April 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2nd April 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

April 1st. Cloudy start, then clearing, with increasing easterly wind.

  Around the water bodies on the reserve were 75 Tufted Duck, 28 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 4 Pintail and the female Goldeneye still on Tennyson's Sands. Also there were 32 Avocet and a Black-tailed Godwit. A Great White Egret went south over the Plantation, and then later in the day a Water Pipit was heard over Sykes Farm. Over Croftmarsh was a ringtail Hen Harrier. A Cetti's Warbler was seen from North Hide on Tennyson's Sands, and a Fieldfare was near the reserve entrance early on. Corn Buntings around the Hump were down to just 6 birds, and around the Visitor Centre was a female Stonechat. Also reported during the day around the Visitor Centre was a Black Redstart, thought to be a male so probably a different bird to the long stayer that wasn't seen yesterday or today.

Barn Owl, 1st April 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

Late March 2024

March 31st. Cool start, then clear, with light south-easterly wind.

 In the Plantation were 2 Redwings. A Yellow Wagtail flew over Sykes Farm to Jackson's Marsh. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 adult summer plumage Mediterranean Gulls, 49 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, a Goldeneye, 2 Water Rails, 26 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Great White Egret. There were two House Sparrows feeding on the Visitor Centre feeders which are quite unusual now on the reserve. Four Fieldfares were also recorded during the morning. Late in the day a male Marsh Harrier went south over the Old Saltmarsh into the Wash.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 11 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, 5 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch and 4 Blue Tit; and 2 retraps: a Goldfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

2 Adult Mediterranean Gulls, 31st March 2025
Photo - Nigel Lound

March 30th. Mostly clear, then cloudier, with brisk north-westerly wind.

 On Tennyson's Sands was a now scarce for the reserve Goldeneye and 38 Shoveler, whilst later in the day a Green Sandpiper was again on Croftmarsh as were 5 White Wagtails. Presumably a new Black Redstart was briefly at Mill Hill before flying south along East Dunes, whilst the Visitor Centre Black Redstart was still showing well on the lawn. Two Bearded Tits were showing from Harvey's Hide during the late afternoon. During the early evening, there were 63 Tufted Duck visible from Fenella Hope Hide and a Water Rail called there briefly. Also seen during the day were 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Green Woodpecker.

female Goldeneye, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Female Goldeneye, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Drake Pintail, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Drake Shoveler, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Swimming Avocet, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Marsh Harrier, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton.

Marsh Harrier, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Black Redstart at the Visitor Centre, 30th March 2025
Photo - Steve Clipperton

March 29th. Frosty start, then mostly clear, with increasing south-westerly wind.

 The Black Redstart was still around the Visitor Centre, as was a Swallow. Three Mediterranean Gulls were watched heading south, whilst other birds reported during the morning included a Bearded Tit, a Water Pipit and a Woodcock. A Cetti's Warbler, 33 Avocets  and 43 Tufted Duck were on Tennyson's Sands whilst a Marsh Harrier was hunting over Jackson's Marsh. A few more Chiffchaffs seemed to be on site also. At the North End were 2 Stonechats.

  A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 3 new birds: 2 Goldfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 29 March 2024.
Photo - George Gregory

Black Redstart, 29th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Marsh Harrier with chasing Avocet, 29th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Common Toad, 29th March 2025
Photo - Rob Watson

March 28th. Broken cloud with fresh westerly wind.

 Flying south were a Woodlark, a Yellow Wagtail and 3 White Wagtails. On Tennyson's Sands were 23 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 160 Brent Geese, 2 Gadwall, 2 Pintail and 15 Little Grebe, whilst the Bearded Tit was again in front of Harvey's Hide early morning. On Jackson's Marsh were 28 Shoveler, whilst at the Wash View Point a Red Kite passed through mid morning. The Black Redstart was again at the Visitor Centre in amongst the picnic tables in the garden of the old Coastguards late afternoon. The first Toads of the year were calling at the west end of the Borrow Pits during the late afternoon.

Little Egret, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Oystercatcher, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Brent Geese and Avocets, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Buzzard, 28th March 3025
Photo - Tom Baker

Small White, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Seal in the River Steeping during the high tide, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Seal in the River Steeping during the high tide, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Evening High Tide on the River Steeping, 28th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

More and more Blossom is on the Trees as you walk around, 28th March 2025
Photo - Mick Briggs.

March 27th. Broken cloud, with increasing south-westerly wind.

 There was a light passage of Corvids and Chaffinches early morning, with a few Redwing and Siskin mixed in, and also including 2 Bramblings and a Grey Wagtail. The Black Redstart was still by the Visitor Centre. Around the Plantation were a Woodcock and a Barn Owl. Jackson's Marsh held 13 Avocet and 23 Shoveler. Tennyson's Sands was home to 10 Avocet, 7 Brent Geese, 2 Pintail, 18 Shelduck and 5 Shoveler.

Black Redstart, 27tH March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Black Redstart, 27th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Teal, 27th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

March 26th. Misty start, then cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.

 On the Coastguards Tower and on the garden wall the Black Redstart was again present until 5.30pm at least, whilst 7 Corn Buntings were by the Hump in their usual tree, and a Barn Owl was hunting as usual. A Green Sandpiper was calling over Croftmarsh mid morning, whilst a Kingfisher flew through. Tennyson's Sands held 86 Brent Geese, 2 Pintail and a Water Rail. A Sand Martin was over North Carpark, and a Green Woodpecker was yaffling along the road side near the entrance to the reserve.

Black Redstart, 26th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Black Redstart, 26th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Water Rail, 26th March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 26th March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 26th March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

March 25th. Cloudy, with light westerly to north-easterly wind.

 It would seem that Spring arrived en-masse today.

 The first Swallow and first 2 Sand Martins were over Tennyson's Sands early on, with the first Black Redstart of the year was at the Coastguard Tower and 3 more Sand Martins south. Also, the first Wheatear of the year was around the Wash View Point. Twenty Redwings were around the Plantation, whilst a Barn Owl was out hunting. A Bearded Tit was calling in front of Fenella Hope Hide with 2 Pintail and 140 Brent Geese on Tennyson's Sands. Mid morning 2 Great White Egrets flew west over North Car Park and landed on Tennyson's Sands where there were 33 Avocet, 2 Water Rails and a male Hen Harrier hunting. Also, a Red Kite flew south over Jackson's Marsh mid morning, where there were also 6 Avocet and a Black-tailed Godwit. From the Wash View Point during the day there were 2 Marsh Harriers, a Hen Harrier and 3 Buzzards. Seven Chiffchaffs were now singing around the reserve. Late news involved a Firecrest down Sykes Farm Track during the day.

The 1st Swallow of the Year! 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

The 1st Sand Martin of the year! 25th March 2025
 Photo -  Tom Baker

Red Kite, 25th March 2025
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

A pair of Great White Egrets, 25th March 2025
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth 

Great White Egrets, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 25th March 2025
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Great White Egrets with Grey Heron, 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Black Redstart, 25th March 2025
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Redwing, 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Hen Harrier, 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

A rare sight of a Hen Harrier on the deck at the back of Tennyson's Sands, 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Hen Harrier, 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Hen Harrier, 25th March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

March 24th. Mostly cloudy, with a light northerly breeze.

 Around was a Barn Owl, whilst the first House Martin of the year was over Tennyson's Sands during the morning along with 24 Brent Geese. A Cetti's Warbler was showing occasionally in front of Harvey's Hide during the afternoon with 19 Avocet, 3 Redshank and 3 Pintail present also. From the Wash View Point there was a Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechat.

More Pics from yesterday:

Lapwing, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Oystercatchers, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Oystercatchers, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Hare in full gallop!, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Hare, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Bearded Tit, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Bearded Tit, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

March 23rd. Soggy, misty start, then broken cloud, with light north-easterly wind.

 On Tennyson's Sands was a Bearded Tit.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 15 new birds: 2 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 6 Goldfinch and a Greenfinch; and 7 retraps: 2 Goldfinch, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch.

Brent Geese, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Tufted Ducks, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Our resident female Sparrowhawk with the gap in the Primaries, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Hare, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Hare, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Hares, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Caroline Sedgley

Hare, 23rd March 2025
Photo - Caroline Sedgley

Little Egret, 23rd March 3025
Photo - Caroline Sedgley

March 22nd. Damp start, then mostly cloudy, with light easterly wind.

 On Tennyson's Sands was a Water Rail.

March 21st. Broken cloud, with a light south-easterly wind.

 In Measures West were 2 Woodcock and another was by North Hide. A Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Redwings were in the Plantation, and 3 Chiffchaff were again singing. On Jackson's Marsh were a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Avocets whilst on Tennyson's Sands there were 17 Avocets, 28 Brent Geese, 3 Pintail and an Oystercatcher.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber produced 10 new birds: 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Great Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit and a Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Blue Tit.

Reed Bunting, 21st March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Brent Geese with Shelduck in flight, 21st March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Shelducks, 21st March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Mute Swans, 21st March 2025
Photo - Tom Baker