31st March. The first Wheatear of the Spring was discovered on the saltings from Mill Hill. Other birds around were 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Goldeneye, Ring-necked Parakeet and a House Sparrow. A Chiffchaff was singing near the Beach car park.
30th March. Birds around were a Red Kite and a Raven heading south over Croft Marsh, ringtail Hen Harrier heading north, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Pintail and 16 Avocet. A Ring-necked Parakeet was once again making the most of the plantation feeders. The Goosander pair came in to roost on Tennyson Sands around 1825hrs. |
| Yellowhammer, 31st March 2018 Photo - Ben Ward |
A morning ringing session in East Dunes by Mike Polling and Jenni Godber produced 10 new birds: 3 Dunnock, 6 Great Tit and a Blue Tit; and 3 retrap Great Tit.
 |
| Ring-necked Parakeet, 30th March 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson |
 |
| Ravens over Old Saltmarsh, 29th March 2018 Photo - Ben Ward |
 |
| Brambling, 29th March 2018 Photo - Ben Ward |
 |
| Sparrowhawk, 29th March 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
Goosander pair, 29th March 2018
Video - Stuart Ainsworth
 |
| Chiffchaff, 29th March 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson |
 |
| Fox, 28th March 2018 Photo - Ben Ward |
 |
| Pink-footed Goose, 28th March 2018 Photo - Ben Ward |
 |
| Sunset from Harvey's Hide, 28th March 2018 Photo - Ben Ward |
26th March. In the Plantation were 15 Redwing, 6 Siskin, a Brambling, a Green Woodpecker, a Treecreeper and a Ring-necked Parakeet . A Water Pipit was in flight over Jackson's Marsh. Around were 3 Chiffchaff, a Bullfinch, a Yellowhammer and 2 Woodcock. In the afternoon a Red Kite was seen over Croft Marsh heading North, a Short-eared Owl and Male Hen Harrier were seen over the Saltmarsh.
 |
| Red Kite, 26th March 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
Green Woodpecker, 25th March 2018
Video - Stuart Ainsworth
24th March. The first singing Chiffchaffs of the year were noted in the Plantation, West Dunes and Aylmer. A Bullfinch was at Sykes Farm as was female Crossbill. Other birds around were 7 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, a Marsh Harrier (north), 61 Redwing, 4 Siskin, 11 Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer.
23rd March. Highlights of the day were 2 Siskin and a female Brambling in the Plantation, 2 Bullfinch, Egyptian Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Buzzard, Merlin, adult Male Hen Harrier. 2 Short-eared Owls were seen hunting the saltmarsh in front of the Visitor Centre around 1700hrs.
 |
| Short-eared Owl, 23rd March 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
Male Common Crossbill, 22nd March 2018
Video - Stuart Ainsworth
 |
| Male Common Crossbill, 22nd March 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
| Female Common Crossbill, 22nd March 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
21st March. Highlights from around the reserve were a Tree Sparrow, Water Pipit, 19 Woodcock, 2 Stonechat, 10 Corn Bunting, Siskin, 2 Merlin, 9000 Knot and 1000 Bar-tailed Godwit. 10 Buzzard passing through. Male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine were seen on the Old Saltmarsh, a Grey Wagtail was found on the Steeping River and a Sand Martin headed north.
The first Small Tortoiseshell butterfly of the year was on the wing near Mill Hill.
 |
| Small Tortoiseshell near Mill Hill, 21st March 2018. Photo - Adrian Royle Special Thanks to Friskney local Andy Rayment for the tip off about the Snowy Owl on Wainfleet Marsh which was relocated by Gib Birders later in the day. |
 |
| Snowy Owl, Wainfleet Marsh 21st/22nd March 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
