Early April 2022

11th April. A cool South-easterly breeze, bright start becoming cloudy but remaining dry. A welcome increase in observer coverage of the census area today and evidence of new migrant arrivals; 4 Ring Ouzel, 16 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, Fieldfare, 9 Brambling, Crossbill, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Firecrest and Garganey, Red Kite, White Wagtail and Hawfinch.

Ringed Plover, pair in copula, 11th April 2022. Photo; Liam Andrews 

                                     Firecrest, male in song, 11th April 2022. Video; Ben Ward

Firecrest 11th April. Photos: Phil Hyde

White Wagtail, 11th April 2022. Photo; Ben Ward

Ring Ouzel 11th April. Photos: Steve Clipperton.

Ring Ouzels, Water Rails, Brambling 11th April. Photos: Kev Wilson.

10th April. A Ring Ouzel was at Seacroft, 7 Song Thrush and several Robins appeared to be migrants, 6 Fieldfare headed south and there were 15 redwing including 3 south and a bird in song on the East Dunes. A Green Woodpecker was only the 2nd of the year, similarly, a Yellow Wagtail.

Migrant Marsh Harrier, 10th April 2022. Video; Ben Ward

Redwing and Siskins 10th April 2022. Photos: Kev Wilson

9th April. Another frosty morning with cold northerly wind. A bright morning leading to a cloudy afternoon. Whilst most of the Wigeon seem to have departed already, good numbers of Shoveler remain (56) with 6 Pintail. Also, 18 Black-tailed Godwit on the lagoons, A Greenshank was a first for the year  and a Red Kite went south.

Brown Hare 9th March. Photo: Andrew Pendlebury

8th April. A cool northerly after a morning frost but bright and sunny. another increase in Chiffchaffs was apparent with new Blackcaps and Robins in the dunes. A brief seawatch produced 6 Sandwich Terns, a red-throated Diver and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese south and a Marsh Harrier in off. Other highlights were 2 water Pipit, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 water Pipit, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Woodcock and a Brambling. A Twite was just north of the Reserve boundary.

7th April. Near gale-force south-westerly with rain threatening. A morning seawatch produced 25 Sandwich Tern, 20 Eider and 3 Red-throated Diver south and 2 Fulmar north. An hour seawatch in the evening then produced a Great Northern Diver (attaining summer plumage) and 4 Red-throated Divers offshore with 19 Kittiwake, a Little Gull and a Barnacle Goose south.

Avocets, Black-headed Gulls, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egrets, Tufted Duck 7th April

Photos: Tom Baker

6th April. Strong south westerly with occasional heavy rain. There was a noteworthy southbound movement of Chaffinch (538) as well as other finches, Redwing (180), and corvids over the course of the morning. Around were 65 Dark-bellied Brent, 10 Pintail, 30 Eider, 2 Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, 90 Redwing, 16 Song Thrush, a Water Pipit and 3 Brambling.   

Double Rainbow, 6th April 2022. Photo; Ben Ward

Pintail, 6th April 2022. Photo; Ben Ward

5th April. Strong westerly winds. Around were, a drake Garganey (water bodies), 3 Pintail, 30 Eider, a Whimbrel, 4 Jack Snipe, a Spotted Redshank (old saltmash), an asio Owl, 4 Tawny Owl, a Merlin, a Falcon sp (possibly Arctic Peregrine), a Swallow, the first Sedge Warbler of the year, 5 Blackcap, a Fieldfare, 35 Redwing, a Stonechat, 3 Water Pipit, a Brambling and a Crossbill (plantation).

Garganey, 5th April 2022. Video: Ben Ward

                                                Crossbill, 5th April 2022. Video: Ben Ward

                                          Aberrant Chiffchaff song, 5th April 2022. Video: Ben Ward

4th April. Moderate westerly winds with rain in the morning. The was a light passage of finches early and a notable arrival of redwing. Around were, 109 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 45 Eider, a Whimbrel, 450 Sanderling, a Spotted Redshank, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 415 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, a Stonechat, 6 Brambling, 2 Corn Bunting and a Snow Bunting (over the beach).

                             Brambling, 4th April 2022. Photo; Ben Ward

April 3rd. A Spotted Crake was heard in the final minutes of yesterday, unfortunately there was no further sign into the early hours of today or beyond. Around were 55 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pintail, 45 Eider, a Whimbrel, a Woodcock, a Spotted Redshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 20 Redwing and a Water Pipit.

Short-eared Owl, 3rd April 2022. Video; Ben Ward

2nd April. Frozen start. A Lapland Bunting flew south amidst light passage of pipits and wagtails in the morning. Around were 85 Dark-bellied Brent, an Egyptian Goose, 45 Eider, 360 Golden Plover, 3000 Grey Plover, a Whimbrel, 1500 Sanderling, a Spotted Redshank (Old Saltmash), a Marsh Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, a Swallow, 30 Redwing, a Yellow Wagtail, a Water Pipit (over Mill Pond Road), a Stonechat, 2 Brambling, 5 Redpoll, 2 Crossbill (Beach Car Park), 25 Siskin and 2 Corn Bunting.

The Wash viewpoint, Lill's hut, inclement weather, 2nd April. Photo; Ben Ward

Waders and Seals, 2nd April. Photo; Ben Ward

1st April. Moderate northerly easing late in the day. Around were 78 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Pintail, 46 Eider, a Goosander, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Whimbrel, 20 Turnstone, 1900 Sanderling, 4000 Dunlin, a Spotted Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, 1400 Herring Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Red-throated Diver, a Diver sp, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 16 Redwing, a Twite and a Corn Bunting.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1st April 2022. Photo: Ben Ward

Herring Gull, good numbers present of both argenteus and argentatus, 1st April 2022.
 Photo: Ben Ward

Late March 2022

31st March. Bracing northerly with occasional hail, sleet and snow. The highlight of the day was the evenings high tide, which was much higher than predicted (full counts to follow), pushing up masses of waders and Larid from the Wash. Around were 130 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Pintail, 56 Eider, 22 Turnstone, a Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 550 Common Gull, 55 Great Black-backed Gull, 850 Herring Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, 19 Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 65 Redwing and a Corn Bunting.

The new saltmarsh at the peak of the evening tide, 31st March 2022. 

Photos - Ben Ward

Avocets 31st March 2022. Photo: Tom Baker

30th March. Cool northerly with rain from mid morning. Around were a Light-bellied Brent Goose, 166 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Pintail, 62 Eider, 22 Turnstone, 212 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank (Old Saltmarsh), 2 Mediterranean Gull, a presumed Viking Gull, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Blackcap, 2 Fieldfare, 62 Redwing, a Stonechat, a Water Pipit, a Brambling, a Bullfinch and 2 Corn Bunting.

Spotted Redshank, 30th March 2022. Photo - Ben Ward 

 A Light-bellied Brent amongst Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 30th March 2022. Photo - Ben Ward 

2cy Viking Gull, presumed, or pale end argentatus, 30th March 2022.
Photo - Ben Ward 

29th March. Around were a Light-bellied Brent Goose, 166 Bark-bellied 3Brent Goose, 28 Eider, a Whimbrel, 320 Sanderling, 3 Woodcock, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, the first Willow Warbler of the year, 3 Blackcap, 16 Fieldfare, 78 Redwing, 27 Song Thrush, a Black Redstart, a Stonechat, a Yellow Wagtail, a Brambling, a Bullfinch and 4 Corn Bunting.

                                            Barn Owl, 29th March 2022. Video: Ben Ward

Stonechat, 29th March 2022. Photo: Ben Ward

Light-bellied Brent 29th March 2022. Photo: Ben Ward

28th March. Bright but chilly day, decreasing visibility in the evening. Another good day for raptor passage which included south; 6 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Red Kite, 43 Buzzard, and 6 Kestrel. Around were a Grey Partridge, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Pintail, 3 Ruff, 14 Snipe, a Great Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a male Merlin, the first Yellow Wagtail of the year, a Water Pipit and a Corn Bunting. 2 Goosander flew south over the shore.

Short-eared Owl, 28th March 2022. Photo: Matt Laing

Ringed Plover, 28th March 2022. Photo: Ben Ward

27th March. A Long-eared Owl was the day's highlight.

26th March. 2 Black Redstart remained and another Red Kite flew south. Starlings were reduced to 10,000 at roost.

25th March. 2 Black Redstart were around the Visitor Centre this morning and some 40 Redwing were around. Vis mig highlights were 8 Crossbill and a Red Kite south and an early Whimbrel north. Starling numbers had dropped right down to 30,000 at roost. Other highlights were single Jack Snipe and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose still with the Brent flock.

24th March. A Black Redstart was at the Visitor Centre early morning and there was further Thrush and Finch movement early morning, including 44 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing, 2 Tree Sparrow, 12 Brambling, 5 Crossbill and 203 Siskin as well as another arrival of Woodcock (11), a single Jack Snipe and the first Ring Ouzel of the spring. Around were 140 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Mediterranean Gull, a Great Egret, 2 Blackcap, 200,000 Starling, 25 Fieldfare,18 Redwing, a White Wagtail, a Water Pipit and a Corn Bunting.  

Black Redstart 24th March. Photo: Ben Ward

Meadow Pipit and Chiffchaff 24th March. Photos: Tom Baker

Dotted Border 24th March. Photo Nige Lound

23rd March. A Hawfinch was again elusive around the Plantation. Black Redstart and Lapland Bunting were new arrivals with a notable increase in thrushes with 62 Blackbird, 2 Redwing and 21 Song Thrush. There were 7 Egyptian Geese and a Marsh Harrier over Croftmarsh. Around were a Little Gull, 5 Sparrowhawk, 2 mobile Bearded Tit, a singing Blackcap, 190000 Starling, 2 Water Pipit and 11 Corn Bunting. 104 Siskin flew south.

The highlights of overnight moth-trapping were Oak Beauty and Yellow-horned (new for the Reserve list).

Great Crested Grebe and Egyptian Geese 23rd March. Photos: Tom Baker

Black Redstart, Yellow-horned Moth and Oak Beauty 23rd March. 

Photos: Nige Lound

22nd March. Another day of varying mist. The Starling again stole the show on a day otherwise of quality over quantity! Around were a light bellied-brent goose, 6 pintail, 49 Eider, 16000 Knot, 17 Turnstone, a Ruff, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Sandwich Tern, 4 Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, a Barn Owl, 300000 Starling, 2 Firecrest (east dunes and north end of west dunes), 2 Water Pipit. A migrant Long-eared Owl was flushed inadvertently. Flying south; 2 Red Kite, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Crossbill and 171 siskin.

Ruff 22nd March 2022. Photo: Ben Ward

Pintail 22nd March 2022. Photo: Ben Ward

Blackbird, Peacock and Comma 22nd March. Photos: Tom Baker

21st March. A hard frost and foggy start to the morning then bright sunshine prompted raptor passage with; 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 14 Red Kite, 33 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel. There again were 3 Firecrest; Sykes Farm Track, East Dunes and roadside north of Aylmer. 2 Crossbill moved south and a Hawfinch was calling in the Plantation amidst finch passage. Those fortunate to be on the reserve at dusk were treated to a show of unprecedented proportions; estimates by assembled local birders were in the region of a Million Starling which accumulated from many directions and eventually settled to roost on the Mere.  

Starling roost 21st March. Photo: Ian Lyall

Corn Buntings 21st March. Photo: Nige Lound

Stonechat 21st March. Photo: Nige Lound

Song Thrush 21st March. Photo: Kev Wilson