Late March 2021

March 31st. Around were 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Sparrowhawk, a Cetti's Warbler, a Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest and 2 Blackcap. On Tennyson's Sands were an Avocet and 2 Bearded Tit. Heading south was a Greenshank.

Bearded Tits, 31 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Mediterranean Gulls, 31 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Blackcap, 31 March 2021,
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Sparrowhawk, 31 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Early Thorn, 31 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Engrailed, 31 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Danish Scurvy Grass, an upper saltmarsh speciality, 31 March 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

March 30th. New migrants were 2 Wheatear (Visitor Centre area) and a Sand Martin (briefly over Jackson's Marsh). The 2 Black Redstart remained at the Visitor Centre. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Cetti's Warbler; on Croftmarsh an Avocet and 3 Buzzard; on Jackson's Marsh an Avocet; and on the Mere a Pochard. Birds around included 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Avocet, a Woodcock, 4 Snipe, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, a Red Kite, a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, a Brambling and 4 Corn Bunting, Flying north was another Sand Martin; and south a Red Kite, a Buzzard, 21 Rook, a Swallow, 2 Brambling and 13 Siskin. 

 A Brimstone butterfly was present.

Wheatear, 30 March 2021.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Black Redstart, 30 March 2021.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Shelducks, 30 March 2021.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

March 29th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 The 2 Black Redstart were still at the Visitor Centre. Around were 52 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Great Crested Grebe and 19 Avocet.

March 28th. Strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included 103 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warbler and 4 Chiffchaff. Now 2 Black Redstart were at the Visitor Centre. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 28 Avocet and 2 Bearded Tit; on Croftmarsh 4 Avocet; and on the Mere a Pochard. Going south were 14 Eider and 19 Common Scoter.

March 27th. Quite strong south-westerly wind.

 A Spoonbill was on Jackson's Marsh then on Tennyson's Sands. A colour-ringed White Stork arrived on Croftmarsh from Middlemarsh early morning, then departed. The Black Redstart was still at the Visitor Centre. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Pink-footed Goose, 25 Avocet and 2 Bearded Tit; on Croftmarsh a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine; on the Mere a Pochard; and on Jackson's Marsh a Pintail, 2 Great Crested Grebe and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were 121 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Cetti's Warbler and 3 Chiffchaff. Heading south were 3 Red Kite.

White Stork, 27 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

White Stork, 27 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

March 26th. Soggy start; moderately strong south-westerly wind; some afternoon rain.

 The Black Redstart was still at the Visitor Centre. Birds around included 119 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 32 Wigeon, 5 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, a Redwing and a Bullfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 30 Avocet and 2 Bearded Tit; on Jackson's Marsh a Pintail and 2 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Croftmarsh an Avocet.

Bearded Tit, 26 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Bearded Tit, 26 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Little Egret with scapular plumes (aigrettes), 26 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Red Chestnut, 26 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

March 25th. A Black Redstart was at the Visitor Centre. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Pintail, a Water Rail, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 21 Avocet and 2 Bearded Tit. Around were 84 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Woodcock, a Snipe, a Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 6 Chiffchaff and a Water Pipit. Flying south were 9 Rook.

Great Crested Grebe, 25 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Great Crested Grebes, 25 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Black Redstart, 25 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Water Rail, 25 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Rooks, 25 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Black Redstart, 25 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

March 24th. Light rain until late morning.

 Birds around included 47 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Wigeon, 2 Grey Partridge, a Hen Harrier, a Red Kite, a Barn Owl, a Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were a Great Crested Grebe, 27 Avocet and a Bearded Tit; and on Croftmarsh 3 Avocet. Going south were a Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Crossbill.

Silhouette record shot of a Red Kite, 24 March 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

March 23rd. Around were 154 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 35 Wigeon, an Avocet, 3 Woodcock, 4 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Red Kite, a male Hen Harrier, 5 Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, a Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 20 Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinch and 9 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Water Rail, 19 Avocet and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Croftmarsh a Pintail. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 620 Starling, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Brambling and 9 Siskin; and north a Woodlark.

Buzzards, 23 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

House Sparrow, 23 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Shovelers, 23 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Shoulder Stripe, 23 March 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

March 22nd. Birds around included a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, 5 Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Fieldfare, 8 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Avocet and a Cetti's Warbler.

Cetti's Warbler, 22 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Fieldfare, 22 March 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

March 21st. Around were a Sparrowhawk, a Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Barn Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, 13 Corn Bunting and 14 Snow Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 87 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and 65 Wigeon; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Great Crested Grebe and 18 Avocet.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 21 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Snow Buntings, 21 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Snow Bunting, 21 March 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound