March 10th. On the beach were 1500 Grey Plover, 3000 Herring Gull and 10 Ringed Plover. West Dunes held 12 Redwing, 5 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker and a Treecreeper.
March 9th. A Woodlark was seen over the West Dunes. In the Plantation were 12 Redwing, 2 House Sparrow and a Bullfinch.
March 8th. A drake Goosander flew south over Sykes Farm.
March 7th. In the Plantation were 10 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, a Siskin, a Green Woodpecker, 8 Woodcock and 2 House Sparrow. On the move were 5 Rook, 11 Jackdaw, 2 Siskin, 3 Chaffinch and a Greenfinch.
March 6th. Around were 17 Woodcock, 2 Siskin, a Green Woodpecker, 2+ House Sparrow, a Bullfinch, 200 Lapwing, 10 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 30 Pink-footed Goose. A Mediterranean Gull was showing on the beach at Greenshanks Creek.
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| Mediterranean Gull on the beach with masses of gulls, 6th March 2018. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
Recent ringing recoveries...
- Blackbird, ringed overijssel, Netherlands 24 October 2016, controlled GPBO 8 November 2017
- Robin, ringed GPBO 27 September 2017, controlled Holland Haven Country Park, Essex 30 January 2018
- Blackbird, ringed Reddingbootpad, Netherlands 6 November 2017, controlled GPBO 8 November 2017
- Kestrel, ringed Winthorpe, Lincolnshire 2 July 2017, found dead GPBO 16 January 2018
March 4th. A walk down Greenshank Creek produced 6 Little Gull, 5000 Black-headed Gull, 3000 Common Gull, 3000 Oystercatcher and 5 Eider. A singing Mistle Thrush on territory was also seen.
A Woodcock, 2 Guillemot and a Razorbill were found dead along the shore.
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| Common Seal on the beach, 4th March 2018. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Lobster returned to the sea, 4th March 2018. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Ray washed up, 4th March 2018. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Sea Mouse, 4th March 2018. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Extensive washout along the beach, from Greenshank Creek to Millennium Ridge, 4th March 2018. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Little Gull, 4th March 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Little Gull, 4th March 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Mistle Thrush, 4th March 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson |
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| Redwing, 4th March 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson In harsh conditions when food is particularly scarce apples can be a good food source. |
March 3rd. Very poor visibility for most of the day. Birds around were 500 Brent Goose, 400 Oystercatcher, 1500 Grey Plover, 800 Dunlin, 180 Sanderling, 800 Knot and a Merlin. A Little Gull flew north offshore.
March 2nd. An impressive 87 Woodcock recorded on the reserve today (equalling the reserve record of 87 from 09/01/2010). Other noteworthy records included c600 Wigeon and 91 Gadwall.
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| Cormorant in the Plantation, 2nd March 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
March 1st. A further arrival of Woodcock today with at least 50+ birds on the reserve. Other birds around were 30 Golden Plover, 2 Goldeneye, 15 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing and a Bullfinch.
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| View from Mill Hill, 1st March 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Woodcock, 1st March 2018 Photo - Nigel Lound |
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| Woodcocks in the West Dunes, 1st March 2018. Photo - Nigel Lound |
